Boxscore

PURCHASE, N.Y. –  The Manhattanville field hockey team came out of the gates with a bang, as junior Alyssa Coughlan (Rye, N.Y./Rye) (Rye, N.Y.) scored 34 seconds into regulation, but the team ended up falling to non-conference New Paltz, 2-1, in the season opener at GoValiants.com Field on Wednesday evening.

Coughlan's goal was created on a turnover by the Hawks off the opening whistle. The center halfback stick handled through the defenders and found an opening at the top of the circle to give the home team an early 1-0 lead. However, the Hawks answered back with a pair of goals of their own before the 10 minute mark elapsed. 

Lauren Nicomini tied the contest at the 4:46 mark off a deflected shot by Alyssa Finck at the top of the circle. The Hawks took the lead for good three minutes later as Sarah Schloss found her shot redirected into the goal by a Valiant defender.

The Hawks outshot the Valiants by a 19-7 margin, but freshman netminder Melissa Grant (Hampton, N.H./Winnacunnet) (Hampton, N.H.) put on a show making all nine saves in second half of her collegiate debut. New Paltz split the shifts in net with Elizabeth Dini picking up the victory after making two saves in the first half.

The Valiants will remain home for a hard contest against #17 The College of New Jersey on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. at GoValiants.com Field. All fans that can't attend can watch the contest live on their computers on GoValiants.TV beginning at 3:55 p.m.