PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Manhattanville University men's soccer team held the line against the visiting Merchant Marine, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon as the Valiants celebrated their senior day. With the win, Manhattanville now holds a 9-6-1 overall record, with a 7-1-0 record in the Skyline slate, comfortably holding second place in the conference standings.
Prior to kickoff, the Valiants celebrated the Class of 2025 and honored
Jostyn Blanco (Norwalk, Conn./Brien Mcmahon High School),
Demba Cham (Bronx, NY/World View High School),
Anthony Damato (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville),
Joseph Kresse (Goshen, NY/Goshen High School),
Anthony Mendez (Baltimore, MD/Concordia Prep), and
Jake Rothluebbers (Redondo Beach, Calif./Redondo Union High School) for their contributions to the men's soccer program.
In the first stanza of the contest, Merchant Marine dictated the tempo, producing more efforts on goal compared to their counterparts, 7-4. USMMA was able to tally a rare team save, after their goaltender was caught off their line, with Blanco's shot being stopped by a KP defender. Merchant would produce the next five chances in the match, testing Rothluebbers, with most being wide or blocked from the target. The Valiants had the final opportunity of the half, from the boot of
Nico Del Vescovo (Flanders, N.J./Mount Olive), but it was turned away to have the score tied at zero as the halftime whistle blew.
Contrary to the first half, the Valiants controlled the pace of play in the second half, firing four shots towards goal in the first five minutes of play. USMMA broke the deadlock in the 58th minute from the foot of Tyson Mallas, finishing off a pass from Derek Vanasse and putting the Valiants on the back foot. The left boot of
Alec Pineda (Port Chester, N.Y./Port Chester) tied the contest at one all, after the sophomore dribbled into the 18-yard box, and slotted it home into the bottom corner. Manhattanville would grab ahold of the lead under ten minutes later, as in the 71st minute
Mason Chetti (Ronkonoma, N.Y./Connetquot) embarked on a solo run down the left side, having his first attempt saved by the KP netminder, then following up his own attempt to head it into the open net for the 2-1 lead. Manhattanville would clamp down in the defensive third, only allowing one shot in the final twenty minutes of play, with the final whistle blowing for a Valiant victory.
Rothluebbers played all ninety minutes in goal for the Valiants, producing one save.
Manhattanville held the advantage in shots over Merchant Marine, 14-10, outpacing them 6-2 in shots on goal. Pineda and Blanco both fired four shots, with Chetti and Kresse attempting three apiece, as Del Vescovo added one attempt towards goal.
Up Next
The Valiants make the trek across the Newburgh-Beacon bridge to take on the Knights of Mount Saint Mary at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
VALIANTS on SOCIAL MEDIA For the latest on Manhattanville Athletics, follow the Valiants via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads and YouTube. #WeAreValiant #GoValiants
