NEWARK, N.J. – The Manhattanville College men's soccer team saw its season come to a close Sunday night as they fell to Rutgers-Newark 3-0 in the ECAC Metro/Upstate Championship game.
 
The fifth-seeded Valiants (10-7-5 overall) reached the championship after knocking off fourth seed Alfred University in a penalty shootout Wednesday, and coming from behind to take down top-seeded Stockton University 2-1 Saturday. 
 
Manhattanville battled against the Scarlet-Raiders (16-7-1 overall) but were unable to crack the defense, recording just three shots on goal, all of which were turned away by Rutgers goalkeeper Matt Broomall.  The Valiants battled through injuries throughout the tournament, and struggled against a strong Rutgers lineup. 
 
"We've had a pretty grueling few days of travel since leaving for Alfred on Tuesday.  I think that tonight it finally caught up to us.  We looked heavy-legged and you could see that we were a step slower than Rutgers all night," said Miller.
 
Rutgers jumped ahead early, when Carlos Castro beat senior goalkeeper Willie Silber (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East) for his first goal of the night.  Just three minutes later Castro found the back of the net for the second time, this time on a great shot from 35 yards out in the upper-left corner of the net to give the Scarlet Raiders a two-goal advantage.
 
The Valiants had a chance to cut into the deficit in the 22nd minute, but freshman Dan Goodman (Cape Town, South Africa/Reddam House ASB)'s shot ricocheted off the crossbar and classmate Oskar Martinsson (Orust, Sweden/Uddevalla Gymnasieskola) was turned away on a shot that Broomall deflected off the crossbar as well to keep Manhattanville scoreless.
 
The Scarlet-Raiders kept up the offensive pressure in the second half, controlling the ball in Manhattanville's end of the pitch for most of the half, not allowing the Valiants any opportunities on offense.  
 
Manhattanville finishes the year after reaching the MAC Freedom tournament for the first time since 2012.  They also ended the season by recording five clean sheets in as many conference games to end the season.  The Valiants held opponents scoreless for 559:22 consecutive minutes to end the regular season.
 
"I am proud of the team for what they've accomplished this season and they should feel good that they have reached a postseason championship.  We play an incredibly demanding schedule and the players have been a credit to this college and with their effort and representation of the Valiant Way," said Miller.