PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College field hockey team fell to Vassar College in their season opener Tuesday night.  The Valiants had a rough start to their 2015 season as they showed their youth in a 6-0 loss to the Brewers.

The Valiants had their defense tested early, as the Brewers were awarded a penalty corner just over three minutes into the game.  Vassar appeared to have scored on a rebounded shot, but the goal was waived off by the officials.  Manhattanville took advantage of this call, taking the ball down the field and earning a penalty corner of their own.  Sophomore Melissa Stys (Pequannock, N.J./Kent School) ripped a shot on goal off of the corner but was kicked away by Vassar goalkeeper Paige Amico.

The Brewers began their offensive attack in the 18^th minute, when sophomore Storm Sideleau dribbled past Valiant goaltender Kaitlin Halloran (Nesconset, N.Y./Smithtown East) to net the first goal of the game.  The Brewers never let off the gas, threatening twice on a penalty corner just three minutes later before junior Emma Bracken tipped in a pass from senior Bianca Zarrella to put Vassar up 2-0. 

Manhattanville threatened again in response to the goal, with senior Breanna O'Neill (Hazlet, N.J./Mater Dei Prep) firing a shot just wide of the post.  The Valiants earned a penalty corner after a Brewer turnover, but were unable to get a shot off.  The Brewers took advantage, working the ball downfield on the counter attack.  Bracken dribbled the ball into the circle and got off a shot that went past Halloran and was tipped into the cage by freshman Megan Caveny to give Vassar a 3-0 lead that they would take into the break.

The Valiants and Brewers battled for possession to start the second half, with only one shot being recorded in the first ten minutes.  The Brewers finally broke through the Manhattanville defense, having a look at an open net after a pass through the circle.  Vassar junior Hayley Beach fired a shot that appeared to be heading into the cage before senior Morgan Parsons (Bear, Del./William Penn) dove along the goal line for a great defensive save.  The effort wasn't enough however as Beach gathered the rebound and found the cage on her second attempt to give the Brewers a 4-0 lead.

Once again the Valiants looked to respond, when sophomore Lisa Maxwell (Wassenaar, Netherlands/Maerlant Lyceum) and junior Amanda Cirocco (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley) had shots kept out of goal a minute later.  The Valiants made a goalie change in the 50^th minute, when junior Meghan Hughes (Kintnersville, Pa./Palisades) replaced Halloran in cage.  It wasn't long before Hughes was tested; making two kick-saves and a diving stop after a Brewer attacker broke through the defensive line.

The Brewers had another good look at goal with 17 minutes to play, when Monica Feeley blasted a shot past Hughes off of a corner, but was tipped over the goal by freshman Erin Goode (Sydney, Australia/Loreto Normanhurst). 

Vassar added two more goals to earn their first win of the season.  The Valiants had several good looks at goal, but each time was turned aside in an impressive performance by Amico, which included a diving save on a one-on-one breakaway against O'Neill.   

The Valiants return to action Friday, September 4^th when they travel to Vassar College to participate in the Betty Richey Tournament.  Manhattanville squares off against William Paterson at 7:30 PM in the first round.