PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College women's soccer team had 14 shots – three more than John Jay College – and tied the Bloodhounds with seven attempts on net, but the Valiants were unable to capitalize as they fell to John Jay Saturday afternoon, Sept. 7, by a score of 3-2 at GoValiants.com Field in their 2019 home-opener.
 
A shorthanded Valiant (0-3) squad played aggressively all game long despite the loss and had several chances to come away with the win over the Bloodhounds (1-2), but unfortunately were unable to punch a few key opportunities into the back of the net.
 
The game began with John Jay scoring in the 10th minute following a cross in front of the net. Manhattanville had several opportunities throughout the rest of the half, but John Jay's keeper Erika Estro made three saves and the Valiants sent three more wide of the net. Just 00:35 into the second half, John Jay scored from 30 yards out to take a 2-0 lead. Less than two minutes later though, senior Samira Davis (Stockholm, Sweden/Kungsholmens Gymnasium) scored her first of the season as junior Ashley Pacheco (Throggs Neck, N.Y./Pelham Prep) found her open in the box for the goal.
 
John Jay was next to score as they happened into a foul inside the box in front of the Valiants net. The visitors converted on the penalty to take a 3-1 lead in the 72nd minute. Manhattanville fired back quickly once again as rookie Dori Grasso (Shelton, Conn./St. Joseph) sprinted down the near side and found Davis in the slot and she was able to sneak the ball past the visiting keeper for her second of the game and the season to make it 3-2 in the 76th.
 
In the waning moments of the game, Manhattanville mounted one final rush thanks to a stellar ball off the foot of Pacheco that went across the net. Grasso slid to the near post to try and knock it in, but was unable to do so. John Jay would eventually come away with the 3-2 non-conference win.
 
The squad returns to the pitch for a road match in the Bronx this Wednesday evening, Sept. 11. The Valiants face Lehman College for a scheduled 5:00 p.m. kickoff.