PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College field hockey team took on Division II Saint Thomas Aquinas College on Thursday night, Sept. 19. The Valiants defeated the Spartans 2-0, with both goals coming in the second half.
The Valiants were outshot 9-2 in the first half, but thankfully sophomore
Zoe Fillebrown (Nashua, N.H./Nashua North) was able to keep the team in the game by notching four saves. Manhattanville (5-3) has a strong history on penalty corners this season, but only had one opportunity in the first half. Senior
Maisey Kettlewood (Nottingham, N.H./Dover) was able to take a shot off but STAC's (2-3) goalie Suzanne Clarke denied the last opportunity of the first half for the Valiants. Following Manhattanville's corner play, the Spartans received back-to-back corner opportunities of their own, as Lauren Cooper took both shots. Each attempt by Cooper was denied from the Valiants defense as they were both blocked by defenders.
At the start of the third quarter, St. Thomas Aquinas continued to outshoot Manhattanville. Things took a positive turn for the Valiants, however, when junior
Lexi Crites (Middleboro, Mass./Kents Hill School) stepped up to take the second penalty corner of the night. Crites passed the ball to senior
Robin Boot (Bedum, Netherlands/H.N. Werkman College) who then passed it across to senior
Ameerah Thomas (Norfolk, Va./Granby). Thomas, outside of the circle, drove the ball in and freshman
Ava Panzer (Pawling, N.Y./Pawling) was able to take control and scored with a shot of her own, giving the Valiants a late lead. Later in third, Panzer took the next penalty corner, passed it to Thomas who brought the ball into the circle and drove her shot on net. Thomas gave the Valiants a more comfortable lead by pulling them ahead 2-0.
The fourth quarter started off with the Valiants continuing to play strong defense. All within one minute Manhattanville's defense recorded two blocks and junior
Isela Casillas (Chula Vista, Calif./Eastlake) made a defensive save. Although the Spartans were firing multiple shots off, the Valiant defense was ready for all of them.
The Crimson and White will continue its season in Weston, Mass. on Saturday, Sept. 21, as they take on Regis College at 2:00 p.m.