EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. – Wilkes University scored once in each half and limited Manhattanville College's chances at the other end as the Lady Colonels defeated the Valiants by the score of 2-0 in Freedom Conference women's soccer action on Saturday afternoon at Schmidt Stadium.
 
Wilkes (9-8-0, 2-4-0 Freedom) moves into a tie for fourth place in the conference standings with one match remaining, while Manhattanville (2-12-1, 0-4-1 Freedom) is officially eliminated from postseason contention with the defeat.
 
Manhattanville had trouble generating scoring opportunities all afternoon long, finishing on the wrong end of an 18-3 shot disparity. Sophomore Dolores Diemicke (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) made seven saves to keep her team in the match, but it wasn't enough.
 
After going nearly 14 minutes without a shot from either side, the home team broke through in the 21st minute, when Micaela Oliverio beat Diemicke from the top of the box to make it a 1-0 score. Diemicke made three saves the rest of the way to keep it a one-goal game at the half.
 
The Valiant defense tightened up considerably to start the second half, keeping Wilkes without a shot on goal for the first 20 minutes. However, Taylor Wright put one on goal and in the goal in the 66th minute off an assist from Oliverio to provide her team with some insurance.
 
Lisa Semetti needed to make only one save to pick up the shutout win for Wilkes.
 
Manhattanville will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, as the Valiants make up their postponed contest with FDU-Florham beginning at 5 p.m. in Madison, N.J.