PINE VALLEY, NY – Sophomore Zoey Pellowitz (Arlington, Va./Washington Pride) scored the game's opening goal on a power play and freshman Tianna Lopes (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Pacific Steelers) added her fifth goal of the season, but the Manhattanville College women's hockey team fell 3-2 to Elmira Friday night at the Murray Athletic Center in a United Collegiate Hockey Conference matchup.

The Valiants missed an opportunity to remain a point back of Stevenson for fourth place and a first round home game in the UCHC Tournament. Stevenson beat Neumann 7-3 to move three points clear.

Manhattanville (9-11-2, 6-6-1 UCHC) gave Elmira (18-2-2, 12-0-1 UCHC) all it could handle, outshooting them 31-25 over the final two periods, finishing with a 37-36 advantage for the game; the 37 shots were the most Elmira has allowed in its last 15 games and just the fourth time this season an opponent out-shot the Soaring Eagles.

Pellowitz struck at 7:12 of the first period off assists from seniors Karly Kapur (Sparta, N.J./N.J. Colonials) and Melissa Stys (Pequannock, N.J./The Kent School), the fifth helper of the season for each. Junior goalie Rose Pijaca (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Academy) kept the Soaring Eagles off the board early, stopping all 11 of their opening period attempts as the Valiants took the 1-0 lead to the second period.

The Soaring Eagles broke through twice in the first five minutes of the second period to grab a 2-1 lead, with Jessica Adams getting Elmira on the board at 2:26 and Emma Crocker putting them in front at 4:42.

89 seconds after Crocker's goal, Lopes knotted things up at two off an assist from sophomore Janet Xu (Edmonton, Alta./Ontario Hockey Academy). Lopes' goal was her fourth in UCHC play this season. Just over nine minutes later, Sarah Hughson added the eventual game-winner for Elmira.

In the final period, Manhattanville found itself with a 6-on-4 advantage, pulling the goalie off a timeout taken with 1:16 left following an Elmira penalty. Despite a barrage of chances for the Valiants, Crawford stopped five attempts while three more attempts were blocked before getting to Crawford, as Manhattanville came up just short.

The two teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon from the MAC, with opening puck drop scheduled for 3:00 p.m.