RYE, N.Y. -- The Manhattanville College women's hockey team fell to Johnson and Wales University, Saturday, Nov. 2. The Valiants lost by a score of 4-2 in a back and forth game that was ended by a Johnson and Wales (1-0-1) empty net goal in the final minute.
The first period was scoreless and neither team could capitalize on their powerplay opportunities. Manhattanville (1-0-1) came up empty on three powerplays in the period and Johnson and Wales could not score on either of their two powerplays. The period ended with the shot total at nine to four in favor of the Wildcats and Manhattanville freshman goalie Lena Flores (Chicago, Ill./Guerin College Prep) stood tall in net keeping her team tied at the first intermission.
Both teams continued to battle in the second period and the Valiants finally struck first with two minutes left on a powerplay goal. Sophomore defender Holly Meredith (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Vermont Academy) tallied the goal and she assisted by sophomore forward Ana Tittman and junior forward Tianna Lopes (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Pacific Steelers (JWHL)). Manhattanville took the 1-0 advantage into the second intermission.
The offense finally picked up in the third period of play. Just 29 seconds into the period, the Wildcats scored a powerplay goal to tie the game at one goal apiece. Johnson and Wales scored again six minutes later to make the score 2-1 and take their first lead of the game. The Valiants erased the deficit quickly and 20 seconds later, senior forward Amanda Sabia (Freehold, N.J./The Gunnery) found the back of the net on a goal assisted by senior defender Zoey Pellowitz (Arlington, Va./Washington Pride (JWHL)).
Manhattanville was unable to hold off the Johnson and Wales offense for long. With 10:22 left on the clock, the Wildcats scored their second powerplay goal of the night to take a 3-2 lead. The Valiants pulled Flores with 1:14 left in the third to take a six to four advantage on the powerplay but could not tally the equalizer. Jonhson and Wales knocked in an empty net goal with 42 seconds remaining and the game ended with a final score of 4-2.
Manhattanville returns to action, Saturday, Nov. 9, against Alvernia University in their first United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) game of the season. The Valiants will once again be at home at the Playland Ice Casino in Rye, N.Y. for a 7:00 P.M. puck drop.
