Box Score POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville Valiants field hockey team traveled to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. for the second straight day and came out with the same result as a day before, a victory. Also for the second straight year, Manhattanville won the Betty Richey Tournament championship at Vassar College as they defeated the host school by a score of 5-2.
 
Senior Melissa Goncalves (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East) was named Tournament MVP, while juniors Amanda DeChent (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley), Amy Hilton (Pittsburgh, Pa./Kents Hill (Maine)), Julia Esposito (Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich) and freshman Morgan Parsons (Bear, Del./William Penn) were all named to the All-Tournament team following their two victories over Smith and Vassar.
 
The Valiants got on the board first as they took a penalty corner that was started off by junior Julia Esposito (Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich), after the ball was inbounded classmate Amanda DeChent (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley) sent the ball softly past goalkeeper Maggie Brelis of the Brewers. The Valiants went on to hold their one goal edge through the remaining 29:58 of the first half and went into halftime despite being outshot 14-5 in the first half.
 
After the intermission Manhattanville started out strong as they took a quick shot that was denied by Brelis, but senior Melissa Goncalves (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East) was there waiting for the rebound and banged it home to put the Valiants up by a pair. Just under six minutes later Manhattanville struck against as this time it was senior Lindsey Stebenne (Barrington, R.I./Barrington) to score her first of the season after taking a pass from DeChent.
 
The Brewers went on a short run which included a pair of shots and a penalty corner in their favor, but the Valiants denied their hosts and quickly ran down the length of the field. DeChent took another shot that was stoned by Brelis, but this time it was freshman Rylee McGuire (Grantham, N.H./Lebanon) to score her second goal of the year and put the Valiants up by a 4-0 margin.
 
Under three minutes later Vassar finally got on the board as Bianca Zarella scored after a shot was muffed by Vassar, but Zarella was able to find a corner of the goal and place it in the perfect spot to trim the lead back down to three. Shortly thereafter DeChent once again took another shot on goal just inside the line to give the Valiants back a four goal cushion.
 
In the 60th minute of play Vassar took a shot that was stopped by freshman defender Renee LaFosse (Merrimack, N.H./Merrimack) but the rebound was loosed and the Brewers took advantage and sent home their second goal past junior goalkeeper Amy Hilton (Pittsburgh, Pa./Kents Hill (Maine)). With a three goal lead the Valiants opted to put freshman goalkeeper Courtney Ponte (Johnstown, N.Y./Johnstown) into the cage for the final 10:15 of regulation, and was forced to make only one save during her brief stint on the field.
 
Goncalves was awarded a penalty stroke in the 67th minute but was unable to convert as Brelis made the save. The final few minutes ticked off the clock and Manhattanville had their third straight victory to get over the .500 mark for the first time this season.
 
In goal, Hilton earned the victory to improve to 3-1 on the year after making 13 saves and allowing the pair of Vassar goals. On the opposite side of the field Brelis made only seven saves and allowed all five Valiant markers as Manhattanville clinched the Betty Richey Tournament for the second straight season.
 
Up next for the Valiants (3-2), they will travel to Geneva, N.Y. to take part in the William Smith Classic and play nationally ranked William Smith as well as St. Lawrence of the Liberty League on Saturday and Sunday respectively.