ASTON, PA. – The Manhattanville College women's hockey team defeated United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) opponent Neumann University by a score of 3-1, Saturday, Feb. 15. Junior forward
Taylor Ham (Saugerties, N.Y./Millbrook School) led the way with two goals and Manhattanville sits comfortably in first ahead of Neumann by eight points in the UCHC South standings.
The Valiants came out strong in the first period, outshooting Neumann (10-11-1, 7-5-1 UCHC) 18-9 in the first 20 minutes. Manhattanville (12-7-3, 10-2-1 UCHC) tallied the game's first goal midway through the first. Ham found the back of the net midway through the period and senior forward
Brayden James (Denton, Texas/Dallas Stars Elite (EHL)) was credited with the assist. Neumann was able to answer before the end of the period and with 3:33 left on the clock, the Knights notched a power play goal to tie the game and enter the first intermission even on both sides.
The Crimson and White took back the lead midway through the second. The nation's leading team in power play goals scored once again on the power play. Senior defender
Ali Howard (Rye, N.Y./Rye) tucked one into the back of the net off of an assist from senior defender
Zoey Pellowitz (Arlington, Va./Washington Pride (JWHL)). Howard's 11 power play goals this season are the most in program history. Two minutes and 29 seconds later, Ham found the back of the net for her second of the night to put the game away for the Valiants. Junior forward
Tianna Lopes (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Pacific Steelers (JWHL)) and sophomore defender
Laney Nash (Edmonds, Wash./Washington Wild (PNAHA)) each assisted on the play.
The third period passed without any scoring and Manhattanville secured the conference victory. Freshman goalie
Lena Flores (Chicago, Ill./Guerin College Prep) put on an impressive performance and made 31 saves on 32 shots in the team's third-straight win.
The Valiants return home next weekend. They take on Lebanon Valley College, Friday, Feb. 21 at the Playland Ice Casino in Rye, N.Y., puck drop is set for 7:00 P.M.
