Box Score PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville field hockey team failed to close out DeSales University in a crucial Freedom Conference game on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Bulldogs 3-2 in overtime at GoValiants.com Field.
Sophomore Meryah Harding won the game for the Bulldogs just six minutes into overtime by beating senior goalkeeper
Amy Hilton (Pittsburgh, Pa./Kents Hill (Maine)) to the right side of the net. It was a heartbreaking loss for the Valiants, considering they had a 2-1 lead with less than two minutes to play in regulation.
In the 69th minute, junior Alyssa Malatesta connected on the equalizer to tie the game up. The Valiants played most of the second half with a lead before giving up the late goal to Malatesta.
The Valiants were first to score in the game on a goal from senior
Kirsten Savage (Harrington Park, N.J./Old Tappan) in the 12th minute that came from the top of the arc and beat sophomore goalkeeper Becky Rasmuson to the right side of the net. The Bulldogs answered quickly in the 13th minute on a goal from freshman Alexa Beaumont, assisted from junior Allison Malatesta.
The two teams went into halftime with the score tied at one, with Manhattanville leading in shots, 10-7.
Senior
Amanda DeChent (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley) gave Manhattanville an early lead in the second half after stealing the ball away from a DeSales defender and burying a shot from five yards out in the 39th minute, tallying her 25th of the season. DeChent's goal kept Manhattanville on top for most of the second half, but Malatesta's late goal answered the Bulldogs scoring drought that eventually led DeSales to the victory.
Hilton contributed seven saves on 16 DeSales shots, but gave up all three goals in net. Manhattanville outshot the Bulldogs 18-16 but failed to capitalize on countless opportunities inside the circle.
Both teams entered the day in a five-way tie for first place in the crowded Freedom Conference standings. This is a tough loss for Manhattanville (9-7, 2-2 Freedom), as the Valiants move back into a tie for fourth place in the conference with FDU-Florham with three conference matches remaining.
Manhattanville will travel to Eastern University on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. in another pivotal Freedom Conference matchup. Live stats can be found on GoValiants.com.
