WILKES-BARRE, PA. — The Manhattanville College men's soccer team picked up their fourth conference victory of the season, as they defeated Wilkes University 3-1 Saturday, Oct. 20. With the victory, the Valiants guaranteed themselves a spot in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Tournament, which gets underway Oct. 30.

The Valiants got on the board early, as freshman Cody LaCava (New Egypt, N.J./New Egypt) scored his fourth goal of the season in the sixth minute after receiving a through ball from sophomore Pablo Bravo Olle (Barcelona, Spain/LFG Bon Soleil). LaCava beat Wilkes goalkeeper Tim Gallagher to the left to give Manhattanville the early 1-0 lead.

The team was able to extend the lead to 2-0 before the end of the half, when in the 34th minute, junior Cristian Araujo (Miami, Fla./Miami Palmetto) picked up his eighth of the year. After receiving a cross from LaCava, Araujo beat Gallagher to the bottom right corner to give the Valiants a two goal lead heading into the intermission.

Neither team was able to break through in the opening stages of the second half, but in the 78th minute, freshman Johnny Arauz (Brentwood, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) effectively put the game away with his fourth goal of the season. A late goal from Wilkes' Kyle Bentz prevented the shutout, but freshman goalkeeper Charles Roberts (Brown Mills, N.J./Pemberton Township) picked up the victory, making three saves on the day for Manhattanville.

The Valiants will now fight for playoff position, as they can finish anywhere between second and fourth in the MAC Freedom. The team will finish up the regular season next Saturday, Oct. 27, when it hosts Misericordia University on senior day at GoValiants.com Field in a game that will have major playoff ramifications. The two teams are currently tied for third in the conference at 4-2, and the winner of the match will finish as the higher seed. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.