FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College women's lacrosse team got its 2017 season underway on a cool Monday evening against Farmingdale State College, as the Valiants dropped a 19-5 decision to the Rams in both teams' opener.
 
Eight different players scored for Farmingdale (1-0) in the win, led by Victoria Varone with four goals to go with two assists for a game-high six points. Janisha Sanchez also had six points with a goal and five assists as well for the Rams.
 
Junior Carly Weiss (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac) and sophomore Evaline Diaz (Temecula, Calif./Temecula Valley) both had a goal and an assist to lead Manhattanville (0-1), with Diaz's two points a new career high for the second-year player. Senior Sarah Dalsey (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City) and juniors Christina Leva (Hawthorne, N.Y./Westlake) and Shaniya Jones (Naugatuck, Conn./Chase Collegiate School) all scored as well for the visitors, with Jones' tally the first of her career.
 
The Rams scored twice in the first 29 seconds to jump out to an early lead and held a three-goal advantage before Leva got the Valiants on the board from Weiss 2:57 into the contest. However, Manhattanville managed only one more goal in the opening 30 minutes as Farmingdale opened up a 15-2 edge at the half.
 
The scoring opportunities slowed considerably for both sides after the intermission, as the two teams combined for only 16 shots and seven goals in the second half. Farmingdale finished the evening with a 25-16 edge in shots.
 
Senior Lauren Cassidy (Oceanside, N.Y./Oceanside) got the start in goal for the Valiants and allowed 12 goals on 14 shots over the first 22:22 of action. Freshman Bella Marchiselli (Williston Park, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy Academy) came on relief in her collegiate debut, making three saves on 10 shots over the final 37:38.
 
Manhattanville will return to action on Wednesday, when the Valiants travel to SUNY New Paltz for a 3 p.m. meeting with the Hawks.