PURCHASE, N.Y. - A slow start for the Manhattanville College women's soccer team doomed the Valiants as Manhattanville dropped its MAC Freedom conference opener to Eastern University by a score of 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at GoValiants.com Field.

Eastern (3-7-1, 1-0 MAC Freedom) netted three goals in less than six minutes early in the first half, and that was all that was necessary for the Eagles to take the conference opener for both teams. Freshman Hanna Kontanis scored the opening goal of the game at just under the 10 minute mark. Junior Emily Cole then scored the next two goals in less than two minutes to give the Eagles a 3-0 win and handed Manhattanville its first home loss of the season.

The Valiants nearly scored just before the half when the free kick of freshman Dany Swidler (San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines) bounced over the keeper's head but hit the post and rolled into the hands of the Eagle goalie.

Manhattanville (3-5, 0-1 MAC Freedom) did come alive offensively in the second half somewhat, recording six of its nine shots in the second 45 minutes.

Senior Christie DeMarco (Valley Stream, N.Y./Valley Stream South) led the Valiants with four shots and two shots on goal. Senior Dani Sullivan (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac), junior Kerri Durkin (Mahopac, N.Y./John F. Kennedy Catholic) and freshman Lauren Vallarelli (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) all recorded a shot on goal. Junior goalkeeper Dolores Diemicke (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) accounted for five saves in the loss.

The Valiants will be back in action on Tuesday as Manhattanville welcomes Medgar Evers to GoValiants.com Field at 4 p.m.