KINGS POINT, N.Y. - On Saturday afternoon, the Manhattanville College men's lacrosse team wrapped up their second week of Skyline conference play with a battle against the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The Valiants were bested by the Mariners by a final score of 15-6. Following the loss, Manhattanville's season record falls to 2-9 (1-2 Skyline), while the USMMA improves to 5-6 (2-1 Skyline).
 
Merchant Marine's Sam Winkler struck first to open the scoring after receiving a skip pass off a quick transition. At the end of the first quarter, the Valiants found themselves at a deficit as the Mariners were able to sneak three goals past Jason Frezza (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Portledge) out of eight shots on goal (14 total). Manhattanville was only able to get one shot on goal through the first quarter, and turned over the ball seven times. 
 
The Mariners' offense continued their hot streak through the second quarter, meanwhile their defense continued to minimize Manhattanville's offensive possessions. It wasn't until the Mariners had scored eight unanswered goals when Manhattanville broke through with their first, as Harrison Yoguez (Trumbull, Conn./St. Joseph) scored off of a dump from Patrick Magliocchino (Thornwood, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) on the transition with 7:09 remaining in the quarter. 
 
The USMMA ended up on top at the end of the first half with a score of 9-1. Throughout the first half, the Mariners came out on top of many statistical categories, helping them procure their eight-goal cushion. Manhattanville were only able to clear the ball at a 50% success rate, compared to the USMMA's 90%, and beat Manhattanville to 25 ground balls. The Mariners were able to limit Manhattanville's dangerous attackers to a mere five shots on goal (six total) through the first half, in comparison to the USMMA's offensive unit producing 20 shots on goal (31 total), and forcing Frezza to make 11 saves. 
 
Manhattanville opened the scoring in the second half with Sean Larkin's (White Plains, N.Y./White Plains) 20th goal of the season on a strong drive to goal. The goal had little effect on the Mariners' momentum as they hit back with three unanswered goals increasing their lead to 10 by the end of the third quarter. 
 
Manhattanville was able to out-score the USMMA in the fourth quarter 4-3. Yoguez struck first in the fourth quarter with a powerful shot as Jesse McGrath (Walden, N.Y./Valley Central) took advantage of the Mariners' defense leaving Yoguez unmarked in the middle. Despite the USMMA now leading by 12, McGrath was able to net a goal with a mid-air finish from Nick Cornelia's (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) pass across the crease. McGrath then followed with another goal, after carrying the ball through the Mariners' defense for 30 yards. With just 33 seconds remaining in the game, Melchi Agyapong (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes) was able to tally one last goal against the Mariners.
 
The game would have looked a lot more devastating for the Valiants if not for Frezza's exceptional performance between the pipes, facing 60 shots (33 on goal), as well as Agyapong's impressive performance all around the field, leading the team with five ground balls, tallying his first goal of the season, and picking up one caused turnover. Cody Johnston (Syosset, N.Y./Syosset) took over in goal with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, and was able to make two saves with no goals against. 
 
Bryson Buchanon led both teams with four caused turnovers, which tied the Valiants' game high record for the 2022 season. Following behind Agyapong, Chris Perrone (Merrick, N.Y./Calhoun) tallied three ground balls of his own, and both Joey Vitta (Oceanside, N.Y./Oceanside) and Nick Padovani (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac) collected two each.  Yoguez, McGrath, and Cornelia tied as leaders for Manhattanville in the shots on goal category with three each. 
 
Up Next
The Manhattanville College men's lacrosse team are back home on Wednesday for the Valiants' senior night, hosting Mount Saint Mary College in a 7:00pm contest.

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