PURCHASE, N.Y. – Despite a solid performance on the pitch, the Manhattanville College women's soccer team dropped their season opener to the University of Saint Joseph 2-1 Thursday afternoon.
 
The Valiants (0-1 overall) fell behind early on a goal in the fifth minute when Jessica Spezzano found Morgan Skoly behind the Vaiant defense with a through ball down the right side.  Skoly beat senior goalkeeper Dolores Diemicke (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) inside the left post to give the Blue Jays (1-0 overall) the early advantage. 
 
Manhattanville rallied in the first half, putting the pressure on in the offensive end of the field several times, but were able to manage just two shots on goal for the half and entered the break trailing 1-0. 
 
The Valiants again threatened to begin the second half, but failed to put one past Blue Jay keeper Megan Ricci.  Saint Joseph doubled their lead in the 77th minute on a penalty kick from Spezzano.  Spezzano garnered the opportunity when sophomore Ashley Heis (Carmel, N.Y./Carmel) was issued a red card after being charged with intentionally keeping a shot out of the net with her hand. 
 
Manhattanville was able to put home their first goal of the season late in the game when sophomore Dany Swidler (San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines) buried a free-kick from 25 yards out in the top right corner of the goal to cut the lead in half in the 89th minute, but Saint Joseph was able to keep the Valiants in check over the final minute to hand Manhattanville their first loss of the year.
 
The Valiants finished the game with a 6-4 deficit in shots on goal, 12-11 in shots overall.  Diemicke recorded four saves in her first start of the year, and sophomore Lauren Vallarelli (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) led the team with three shots for the game. 
 
Manhattanville returns to action Wednesday when they host Drew University at 6:00 pm at GoValiants.com Field.