KING'S POINT, N.Y. – Defense had the upper hand in Saturday's clash of two of the Skyline Conference's top teams, but Eli Pardo's (Norwalk, Conn./Brien McMahon) penalty kick goal was the deciding factor in the Manhattanville College men's soccer team's 1-0 win over the United States Merchant Marine Academy. With the win, the Valiants move into a tie with Farmingdale State for the best conference record at 5-0-1, improving to 6-4-2 overall with their fourth straight win.

The Valiants were held to just two shots on net the entire day, both coming courtesy of Pardo. The junior midfielder made the most of his first opportunity of the contest, drawing a foul in the 16^th minute to get a penalty kick. With just the USMMA keeper to beat, Pardo shot the ball past Chase Miller in what would be the only tally on both sides for the day. Pardo has now scored in three straight games, with each of his goals being credited as the game-winners.

The Mariners were able to fire five shots on the Manhattanville net, but Luis Granados (Pasadena, Calif./St. Francis) was up to the task. The sophomore netminder made five saves en route to his fourth clean sheet of the season and further lowering his goals-against average to 0.65 on the season.

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First place in the Skyline will be up for grabs on Tuesday evening when the Valiants travel to Farmingdale State for a 4 p.m. matchup.