Boxscore

PURCHASE, N.Y. – At some point, it might seem reasonable that the Manhattanville women's soccer team would actually win a game in which it outplayed its opponent.  However, Tuesday night once again was not that time, as the Valiants dropped a frustrating 1-0 decision to Ramapo College in a non-conference match under the lights at GoValiants.com Field.

Manhattanville held a 9-5 edge in total shots and possessed the ball for much of the second half, and yet one defensive let down proved to be the difference in the match.

At the beginning of the 53rd minute, senior Kimberly Bruno won a ball in the midfield and headed it down to classmate Melanie Pupo, who one-touched a speculative ball in the direction of senior Melissa Demko. Demko managed to beat a Valiant defender to the ball inside the 18-yard box, and fired a shot into the back netting for the first – and as it turned out only – score of the match.

The Valiants had their chances throughout the match, but – as has been the problem all season long – the ball just didn't roll their way. After putting two quick chances on goal in the opening five minutes, sophomore Charlotte Hotaling (Southfield, Mich.) put a great cross onto the foot of senior Sarah Russo (White Plains, N.Y.) at the top of the six-yard box in the 37th minute, but Russo could not get a good touch on the ball and her attempt was saved by Ramapo junior keeper Alyssa Krall.

After Demko's goal, Manhattanville kept pressure on the Roadrunners for much of the second half, but just could not find the equalizer. With six minutes left, junior Kristina Ciotto (West Hartford, Conn.) came up on a Valiant corner kick and got a body on a nice cross in the box by sophomore Morgan Rebollal (Holtsville, N.Y.), but her deflection went right at Krall. Less than three minutes later, sophomore Brittney Smith (Stratford, Conn.) made a nice turn and gave herself room at the top of the 18, but her rocket just missed the frame and the game remained 1-0, where it would stay.

Demko made four saves to pick up the win for Ramapo, while senior Ali Bromson (Suffield, Conn.) made two saves to suffer the defeat.

Manhattanville (0-10-1, 0-0-1 Freedom) will look to rebound on Saturday, as the Valiants play the first of five consecutive Freedom Conference matches against Misericordia University beginning at 1 p.m. at GoValiants.com Field. The match will be video streamed live online at GoValiants.TV. Ramapo (4-7-0, 0-4-0 NJAC) hosts Lancaster Bible College on Monday at 4 p.m.