Box Score MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Despite a 29-save performance by goaltender Kirsten Shaughnessy (Le Center, Minn./LeSueur-Henderson St. Peter), the Manhattanville women's hockey team could not put the puck past Salve Regina's Colleen Marcik, who turned away all 19 shots she faced to push the Seahawks past the Valiants by a final score of 3-0 in ECAC East Conference action on Friday night.

The loss assures Manhattanville (8-12-4, 6-6-3 ECAC East) of finishing no higher than fourth place in the conference standings. Thanks to UMass Boston's 4-3 loss to Plymouth State today, the Valiants need either a win over Holy Cross or a Southern Maine tie or loss to UMass Boston in order to clinch a top-four seed and a home game in the ECAC East Conference Tournament semifinals. 

The first period of play ended without a goal being scored, despite five shots being recorded for the Valiants and seven shots for the Seahawks.

The two teams battled feverishly to get that first goal and it wasn't until 5:44 mark of the second period that a lead was taken.  Despite being on the power play, Manhattanville gave up a short-handed goal to Michaela Chiuccariello, who took Danielle Phalon's pass and beat Shaughnessy to put the Seahawks up 1-0. Less than three minutes later the Seahawks struck again, this time coming off the stick of Kayla Smith, as Salve Regina took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission.  

Needing to mount a comeback in third, Manhattanville was only able to record six shots in the final frame. Taylor Shepherd gave the Seahawks a little more insurance as she put home the third goal at the 4:56 mark. 

Manhattanville will have a chance to finish the regular season strong as the Valiants take on the Holy Cross Crusaders tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.