NEWBURGH, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College women's soccer team defeated the No. 1 ranked team in postseason play, Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The Valiants lone goal scored in the 74th minute secured their advancement to the Skyline Conference championship this Saturday, Nov. 9.
 
The first half was a blank score across the board. Manhattanville (11-9, 7-3) and Mt. St. Mary (9-10-1, 9-0-1) each took four shots, and freshman Natalie Aracena (Bronx, N.Y./Riverdale Kingsbride Academy) was the only Valiant to put her shot on goal. There was only one corner opportunity in the first half and the Crimson and White were unable to capitalize on it.
 
The Knights came out firing off shots in the beginning of the second half. They sent five towards the Valiants goal, but sophomore Alexa Pyatsky (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) was able to save the one sent her way. Responding to Mt. St. Mary's offensive momentum, sophomore Dani Fanning (Mission, Texas/Sharyland Pioneer) stepped up to take a free kick around the 25-yard line after Knight's Nicolette Wurglics committed a foul. Fanning booted the ball into the box, it landed near left post where sophomore Ashley Hayes (Springfield, Ore./Thurston) was able to control the ball and place her shot past goalie Cyan Scott.
 
The Valiants were outshot in the second half 8-2. After Hayes' goal the Knights had three more shot attempts. The best opportunity for Mt. St. Mary came from Chrissy Cannella. She was the lone Knight in the box one-on-one with Pyatsky. As Pyatsky fell to her feet Cannella ripped a shot and hit the left post. Cannella tried to get the rebound but Pyatsky grabbed the ball and held possession.
 
Manhattanville ended the game with two shots on goal, capitalizing on the second. Junior Bella Fotino (Montgomery, N.Y./Valley Central) had a great defensive game as she held Cannella to zero goals after she scored three against the Valiants in their last matchup on Oct. 19.
 
Manhattanville advances to the Skyline championship on Saturday Nov. 9. This is the first time since 2010 the women's soccer team has made it to the championship round. The Valiants will face Farmingdale State College in Farmingdale, N.Y, time is still tentative.