PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College men's soccer team battled to a 2-2 draw against Skyline Conference foe Sarah Lawrence College on Wednesday night. The draw moves the Valiants' record on the season to 3-3-6 overall, the most recorded draws in a season in program history, while now standing at 3-0-4 in conference action.

The Valiants successfully erased a pair of one goal deficits to earn the draw. Things started off on the wrong foot for the home team just 3:50 into the contest as the Gryphon attack had a 3-on-2 opportunity in the box. A cross set the Gryphons on the doorstep but a crashing Johnny Antolino (Harrison, N.Y./Harrison) was able to apply pressure and prevent a shot attempt. However, Antolino's attempt at kicking the ball out of play above the Valiant crossbar went awry as the ball ended up in the net to put Sarah Lawrence on the board. The tough-luck 1-0 deficit held for the Valiants through the duration of the first half.

The Valiants would pick up their midfielder early in the second half. Fresh off his appointment as Skyline Rookie of the Week, Manuel Morales (Madrid, Spain/International College Spain) received a breakout pass from Trevor Henderson (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) from the Valiants' defensive side of the field. Morales turned on the jets and had a breakaway with only Sarah Lawrence keeper Kian Silva to beat. Silva came out to challenge Morales, but the Valiant freshman was able to lift the ball over the Sarah Lawrence netminder's raised arms to bury the equalizer in the back of the net in the 48^th minute.

The score remained 1-1 until the 62^nd minute when Peter Miles finished a Leon Bronshvag feed to put Sarah Lawrence back in front. Once again, Manhattanville battled back, this time ten minutes later. Henderson once again got the play started, firing a shot towards the Gryphon net. Alex Bacchiocchi (Groton, Conn./Fitch) leapt and headed the ball on target, knocking it in past a sprawling Silva to tie the game up once again. From there, the Gryphons would get one more shot on net while the Valiants fired two shots on target over the final 18 minutes, but none would cross the goal line as the final horn sounded on the 2-2 draw.

Jake Rothluebbers (Redondo Beach, Calif./Redondo Union High School) manned the goal for Manhattanville on the night, playing all 90 minutes. The junior keeper made three saves in his second appearance of the season, being charged with two goals allowed.

The Valiants outshot the Gryphons 18-12, with nine shots on net compared to the five by Sarah Lawrence. Bacchiocchi, Matt Rabadi (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) and Jostyn Blanco (Norwalk, CT/Brien Mcmahon High School) each finished with a pair of shots on net. Five Valiants—Rabadi, Bacchiocchi, Jostyn Blanco (Norwalk, CT/Brien Mcmahon High School), Anthony Mendez (Baltimore, MD/Concordia Prep) and Demba Cham (Bronx, NY/World View High School)—had two shot attempts each to lead the effort.

The Valiants had eight corner kicks compared to Sarah Lawrence's four.

Up Next
The Valiants will celebrate the Class of 2024 on Saturday in their Senior day match against Mount Saint Mary at 2 p.m.

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