Box Score RYE, N.Y. -- The Manhattanville College women's hockey team was unable to skate by the #1/#3 Elmira College Soaring Eagles Friday evening, Jan. 11, falling 2-0 at Playland Ice Casino in United Collegiate Hockey Conference action.

Elmira (11-2-1, 7-0-0 UCHC) showed why they earned the top spot in the D3Hockey.com poll this week, holding Manhattanville (9-4-2, 6-2-1 UCHC) to just 22 shots, 10 shots under its season average, while taking 30 shots on Valiants' senior goalie Rose Pijaca (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Academy).  Pijaca more than held her own against an Elmira offense that came in averaging more than four goals per game on the season, stopping 21 of the first 22 shots faced. Pijaca's lone blemish in the first 53 minutes of play came when Maddy Jerolman crashed the near-side post and re-directed Eliza Beaudin's precise entry pass from the left wing 13:03 into the game.

The Valiants had offensive chances throughout the evening, their best coming across the end of the first period and start of the second period via a five-minute power play. The Valiants forced five saves from Elmira goalie Stephanie Martin, while one additional shot attempt was blocked, but the Valiants were unable to find the back of the net during the extended man-advantage.

With 6:19 left to play in regulation, attempting to clear a centering pass that trickled a little too close to the net, Pijaca unfortunately played the puck directly to Elmira's Emma Crocker, who buried an insurance goal for the Soaring Eagles.

The Valiants managed just two shots on goal the rest of the way against an efficient Elmira offense, who controlled the puck for the majority of the stretch run. Pijaca finished with 28 saves for Manhattanville, while sophomore Tianna Lopes (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Pacific Steelers (JWHL)) led all skaters with five shots on goal.

The Valiants will get another crack at the top-ranked Soaring Eagles tomorrow afternoon, Saturday Jan. 12, in the final leg of their two-game UCHC set.  Opening faceoff is set for 3:30 pm from Playland Ice Casino.