DALLAS, Pa. – Senior Amanda Cirocco (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley) scored the game-winning goal just under two minutes into the second half to give Manhattanville a 3-2 win over Misericordia Saturday afternoon at Mangelsford Field. 
 
The Valiants (9-4, 3-1 MAC Freedom) remain in a four-way tie for first place in the MAC Freedom standings with the win as they look to clinch their first postseason berth since 2011.  Despite being outshot 12-11 and facing an 11-7 deficit in penalty corners, junior goalkeeper Kaitlin Halloran (Nesconset, N.Y./Smithtown East) made six saves to earn her eighth win of the season in cage. 
 
Manhattanville once again capitalized on their penalty corner opportunities, jumping ahead 7:50 into the game when senior Bregje Smits (Bussum, Netherlands/Willen de Zwigger College) scored her 13th goal of the season on a ball inserted by junior Melissa Stys (Pequannock, N.J./Kent School).  After the Cougars took the lead with two goals, Smits and Stys struck again, connecting on a penalty corner to level the score with just over a minute remaining in the first half.
 
In the second half, the Valiants continued to build momentum, scoring 1:57 into the second half when freshman Ameerah Thomas (Norfolk, Va./Granby) found Cirocco inside the arc for the Valiants third goal, the eventual game-winner to lead Manhattanville to the win. 
 
The Valiants return to action Wednesday when they travel to Center Valley, Pa. to take on DeSales University at 6:00 pm.