DALLAS, Pa. – Manhattanville sophomore goalkeeper Ray Zimlin (Graniteville, N.Y./Wyoming Seminary) made a career-high 17 saves in 50:30 of relief work but it wasn't enough as the Misericordia Cougars built up a large halftime lead and held on for an 11-2 victory on Saturday afternoon.
 
Misericordia jumped out to a 4-0 lead through the first portion of the first quarter with 7:35 left in the first quarter. Several minutes later in the period, starting goalkeeper Dom Poletto (Engelwood, Colo./Regis Jesuit) was pulled for Zimlin, after playing the first 9:30 of game time.
 
The Cougars picked up three consecutive goals to take a commanding 7-0 lead with 5:27 left in the second quarter. Under a minute later, Manhattanville converted on its first goal of the game as senior Bill Motherway (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) to cut into the lead at 7-1.
 
Misericordia netted three more goals in the half, while Zimlin made five saves through his work through the halftime point.
 
In the second half, a defensive chess match evolved as neither team was able to convert on any shots. One of the best chances came from Motherway, who rang one off the post with just over six minutes left in the frame.
 
The fourth quarter saw Manhattanville sophomore Jack Polak (Longmeadow, Mass./Longmeadow) pick up his sixth goal of the season to make the score 10-2 with 10:56 left in regulation. Misericordia scored once more with 4:27 left in the game to finish off the scoring for the game at 11-2.
 
Total shots were in favor of Misericordia at a 44-26 clip, with shots on goal at 28-13 in favor of the Cougars. Ground balls were even at 26 apiece, while the Valiants dominated the faceoff dot winning 14-of-17 on the game. Both teams combined to go 0-for-9 on extra-man opportunities as all 13 goals were scored at even strength.
 
In goal, Poletto took the loss after allowing the first four Cougar goals in 9:30 worth of goal time. Zimlin finished the game with his career-high 17 saves and allowing 11 goals. Picking up the victory was Patrick Johnson, who registered six saves and allowed one goal while playing the first half. Josh Shankar played the final 30 minutes and also allowed one goal, while making five saves in his playing time.
 
Manhattanville (0-12, 0-2 Freedom) will return home for its first Freedom Conference home contest against Arcadia beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Misericordia (7-5, 2-1 Freedom) will also be back in action on Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. when it travels to Center Valley for a date with the DeSales Bulldogs.