Boxscore

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – The Manhattanville women's soccer team waged a defensive struggle against Saint Joseph College in both teams' 2011 season-opener on Friday afternoon, but a Blue Jay strike 2:35 into overtime proved to be the difference as the Valiants dropped a 1-0 (OT) decision on day one of the Warrior Classic, hosted by Eastern Connecticut State University at the Mansfield Athletic Complex.

The only goal of the contest came in the 93rd minute, as Patricia Nolan took a feed from Tiana Saraceno and beat Valiant freshman goaltender Bridget Miranda (Binghamton, N.Y./Seton Catholic Central) for the game-winning score.

Both Miranda and Saint Joseph keeper Holly Mirabella had kept the nets empty prior to that strike, as Miranda made one save in her collegiate debut and Mirabella turned aside three shots. For the match, the Blue Jays held an 11-8 edge in total shots, including the only two of the overtime period, to go with a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Senior defender Kristina Ciotto (West Hartford, Conn./Northwest Catholic) led all players with three shots coming from the back line, but the Valiants could not penetrate the SJC defense in suffering the loss.

Manhattanville (0-1-0) will return to action tomorrow on day two of the Warrior Classic, as the Valiants take on Fitchburg State beginning at 5 p.m. Saint Joseph (1-0-0) will battle host Eastern Connecticut in the nightcap starting at 7:15 p.m.