PURCHASE, N.Y. – For the first time since 2005, and just the second time in program history, the Manhattanville College field hockey team has claimed a conference title. The Valiants were crowned New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Champions today, Sunday, Nov. 10, after they defeated Thomas College by a score of 1-0 at GoValiants.com Field.
 
With just under four minutes remaining in the first quarter, freshman midfielder Ava Panzer (Pawling, N.Y./Pawling) of the Valiants (17-3) sent the penalty corner into play. Her pass was received by an open senior midfielder in Robin Boot (Bedum, Netherlands/H.N. Werkman College), who found senior forward Ameerah Thomas (Norfolk, Va./Granby) open. Thomas sent the ball hard past the Terriers (13-7) keeper and into the back of the cage to make it 1-0.
 
That would be the game's only goal, but not for lack of chances on both ends. In fact, Thomas put the pressure on for most of the contest, outshooting Manhattanville 10-4 in on-target attempts. Fortunately for the Crimson and White, sophomore keeper Zoe Fillebrown (Nashua, N.H./Nashua North) made all 10 stops for her second shutout of the tournament. Additionally, the Terriers held the 14-8 advantage on penalty corners. A huge play late in the game to hold the score at 1-0 came from freshman defender Caitlin Antinozzi (Rye, N.Y./Rye). Thomas had a restart in the Valiants zone, swarmed to the cage forcing Fillebrown out to make a stop. The Terriers were able to get a shot on the open net with the Valiants keeper out, but Antinozzi swatted the ball out of the air for the defensive save. Manhattanville also had to fend off several penalty corners at the end of the fourth to maintain the one goal edge.
 
Overall, the 17 wins have lengthened the already program-record win total for the Valiants. Also, as part of the postgame ceremony, Boot, Thomas, Fillebrown and sophomore defender Raquel Brown (Claymont, Del./Brandywine) were all named to the All-Tournament Team. Moreover, Fillebrown was named Tournament MVP for her strong play in the cage.
 
Despite earning the NECC Crown, the conference does not possess an automatic bid for field hockey. The Valiants will not move onto the NCAA tournament and finished their season on a high note.