GORHAM, Maine - The Manhattanville women's hockey team beat ECAC East opponent, the University of Southern Maine, by a final score of 3-1. The win moves the Valiants to 4-2-1 in conference play and featured the first collegiate goal for sophomore Kayley Romano (Viera, Fla./Boston Shamrocks).

Playing in their first conference game since a loss to the Holy Cross Crusaders, the Valiants came out firing, applying pressure early and often. Just over five minutes into the first period freshman Taryn Harris (Morrison, Colo./Colorado Selects) and senior Aubrey Bachand (Harwichport, Mass./Vermont Academy) Romano fired a puck past goaltender Liz Bergstrom, giving the Valiants a 1-0 lead.

The Valiants extended their lead late in the first period when freshman Sarah Sinning (Southold, NY/National Sports Academy) scored her third goal of the season, a power-play goal, assisted by fellow freshman Maeve O'Brien (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy). The goal, scored with just 1:08 remaining in the period, would go on to be the eventual game winner.

Southern Maine cut the deficit in half with less than five minutes remaining in the second period when senior Julia Pearl beat Manhattanville goaltender Kirsten Shaughnessy (Le Center, Minn./LeSueur-Henderson St. Peter). That is the only goal the senior would allow on the day, turning away 16 of 17 shots that came her way.

The Valiants wasted no time in regaining momentum as the team would score another power-play goal just one minute later, this one off the stick of senior Sydney Asselstine (Hartington, Ontario/Nepean Wildcats (PWHL)), with fellow seniors Rachael Morrison (Ridgefield, Conn./Sound Shore Warriors (MAWHL)) and Alla Traun (Edina, Minn./Minnesota Thoroughbreds (JWHL)) credited with the assist.

The team will have a quick night's rest and take the ice tomorrow afternoon at 3 PM when the team faces off against the University of New England.