RYE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College women's hockey team dropped a tough, back and forth game against United Collegiate Hockey Conference opponent William Smith College, Saturday, Feb. 1. The final score was 2-1 in a game that went down to the wire with four third period goals.
 
Despite a dominating first period from Manhattanville (10-6-3, 8-1-1 UCHC), the team still found itself down one goal. William Smith (12-7, 8-2 UCHC) found the back of the net on a power play opportunity to take a one-goal advantage. The Valiants controlled all play in the period. They outshot the Herons 21-12 and won 21 of 25 face offs. However, they were unable to capitalize on three power play chances.
 
The second period saw more goals from both teams. Manhattanville evened up the game at one goal apiece midway through the period. Senior defender Ali Howard (Rye, N.Y./Rye) found the back of the net on a hard, driven shot and senior Zoey Pellowitz (Arlington, Va./Washington Pride (JWHL)) was credited with the assist. Howard scored again just two minutes later to give the Valiants their first lead. Pellowitz and junior forward Taylor Ham (Saugerties, N.Y./Millbrook School) assisted on the play. Despite the two quick goals from Manhattanville, the Herons refused to give in. They tied the game just one minute after Howard's second goal and then with 30 seconds left in the period they took a 3-2 lead with another goal. The Valiants entered the intermission down one, once again.
 
William Smith tallied the first goal of the period, extending its lead to two. Manhattanville then began to claw their way back into the game. A major penalty was charged against the Herons with 12 minutes to play in the game. The Valiants scored twice with the five-minute man advantage and junior forward Tianna Lopes (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Pacific Steelers (JWHL)) recorded both goals. With 10 minutes left to play, the game was knotted at four goals apiece. The two teams battled back and forth until William Smith finally broke the tie with 3:19 remaining. Manhattanville pulled freshman goalie Lena Flores (Chicago, Ill./Guerin College Prep) with 1:00 remaining, but was unable to score the equalizer and fell by a score of 5-4.
 
The difference in the game was the power play for the Herons. The Valiants outshot their opponent 45-32 and also has a 52 to 23 advantage on face offs, but William Smith converted on two of four power play opportunities and that proved to be the difference.
 
The Crimson and White return to the ice for a 3:00 P.M. puck drop on Friday, Feb. 7. They travel to Reisterstown, Md. for a matchup against UCHC opponent Stevenson University. Manhattanville defeated the Mustangs, 2-1 in overtime earlier this season.