REISTERSTOWN, Md. – The Manhattanville College men's ice hockey team suffered a 5-1 loss on the road at Stevenson University in United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) play on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 8.
 
The Valiants (8-12-2, 5-9-1 UCHC) kept it close in the first period as the Mustangs (15-5-1, 12-2 UCHC) took a slim 1-0 lead at 6:44 in. Rookie netminder Alexei Masanko (West Milford, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) got the start between the pipes and stopped 11 of 12 shots in the period. Stevenson scored another one in the second as well to make it 2-0, but still it was just a close game.
 
It was not until the third period when the Mustangs actually gained control of the game. The home team scored twice in the first three minutes to take a 4-0 lead before going up 5-0 prior the midpoint of the period. The Valiants did get one back with less than eight minutes remaining in the game off the stick of junior co-captain Tristan Ramage (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) – assisted by rookie Josh Fletcher (Calgary, Alb./Central Memorial) and sophomore assistant captain Alex Rowella (Ridgefield, Conn./Holy Cross (H.S.)).
 
With three games remaining in the regular season, the Valiants remain in seventh place with 16 points; the top six squads qualify for the UCHC playoffs. Manhattanville is still in contention for that final spot, battling with Nazareth College (18 points), Neumann University (21) and Lebanon Valley College (14). The Crimson and White return to action next Friday night, Feb. 14, for a home matchup with King's College (Pa.) at 7:00 p.m. at Playland Ice Casino in Rye, N.Y.