PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Manhattanville men's soccer team fell to #21 Montclair State on Wednesday night by a final score of 3-1. Despite an impressive goal from sophomore defender Jesper Hjalm (Stockholm, Sweden/Huddingegymnasiet), the Valiants were unable to outscore a Red Hawks team that entered Wednesday's competition having outscored opponents 42-13 on the season.

After exchanging opportunities for the first 15 minutes, the Red Hawks got on the board first as Mike Olla made the most of his one-on-one with junior goalkeeper, and Freedom Conference Goalie of the  Week, Steve Singson (Deer Park, N.Y./St. Anthony's), slotting his shot in the upper,far-side of the netting.

The Valiants, continuing to press, equalized the score at 1-1 when Hjalm scored his first goal of the year, directly off his corner kick, as he bent the ball around traffic and off the hands of Montclair State goalkeeper Michael Gonzalez. Hjalm's goal came at the 19:32 mark of the first half, less than three minutes after Olla gave the Red Hawks the lead.

The two teams continued to exchange opportunities until, in the 38th minute, the Red Hawks junior midfielder Damian Bziukiewicz was able to connect his head on the receiving end of a Lucas Terci corner kick. Bziukiewicz's header was perfectly placed out of the reach of Singson.

The two teams headed to halftime with the score at 2-1. Upon their return to the pitch, the action picked up right where it left off.  

The Red Hawks opened the half recording the first four shots on goal which culminated in Bziukiewicz's second goal of the match. After earning a corner in the 54th minute, Terci sent a sweeping cross into the box which was originally headed by Olla and then headed again, mid-air, by Bziukiewicz.

The Valiants had several chances throughout the remainder of the competition, including a header by freshman Robin Schaufele (Kalix, Sweden/Kungsfaegeln) which required Gonzalez to make a diving save at his far post. Gonzalez finished the evening with five saves on six shots, while Singson finished with five saves on eights shots.

The loss drops Manhattanville to 5-7 on the season. The team is still 1-0 in the Freedom Conference and will face conference opponents for the remaining six games. The Valiants travel to St. David's, PA. this Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff with the Eastern Eagles.