PURCHASE N.Y. – A new era of Manhattanville Athletics was ushered in on Saturday afternoon, as the women's rugby team hosted their first-ever home match. While the Valiants ultimately were defeated by the visiting New England College two games to one, the Mahattanville community came out in large numbers to support the Crimson and White taking GoValiants.com Field for the first time as a team.

Game One: Manhattanville 10, NEC 5
Senior captain Kasey Molito (Whitman, MA/Whitman-Hanson Regional) scored the first home points for the Valiants, scoring a try in the first half to put Manhattanville up 5-0. Molito would find the try zone once again before the half drew to a close, giving the Valaints a 10-0 advantage at the half.

The Pilgrims would get on the board in the second half courtesy of a Rebecca Eaton try. That would be all for the New England College offense, however, as Manhattanville was able to drain the remaining time off the clock to earn the game one victory.

Game Two: Manhattanville 10, NEC 15
It would be the Pilgrims striking first in the second game, as Ari Hamilton scored the game's first try. The Valiants made a quick response, as Kate Vaughan (Brewster, NY/Brewster HS) found paydirt before the half drew to a close with the teams even at 5-5.

New England came out in the second half aggressive, scoring a pair of tries to take a 10 point advantage. While Molito would find her way into the try zone before the end of regulation, the offense came too late as the Pilgrims evened up the match one game apiece.

Game Three: Manhattanville 10, NEC 12
It was Molito once again providing the opening spark in the day's third and final game, putting the Valiants ahead 5-0. The Pilgrims, however, would take advantage of their final possession of the half. With time expiring, New England would split past the Valiant tacklers for a try of their own before Eaton would connect on her conversion attempt to give the Pilgrims a 7-5 advantage.

The Pilgrims would add another try to open up the second half courtesy of Malika Alexander. With time running out, Molito would find some separation for her fifth try of the afternoon, her game-tying conversion attempt was no good as the Valiants came up just short of completing the comeback.

Up Next
These two teams will run it back on October 16, as the Valiants look to even up the season series in New Hampshire.

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