PURCHASE, N.Y. – Stepping on the home turf for the first time in 2024, the Manhattanville University women's soccer team fought to a 1-1 draw with visiting New Jersey City University on Tuesday afternoon. The decision moves the Valiants record on the young season to 0-1-1 overall.

Action was limited across the first half, with the Valiants accounting for the only two shots on net in the opening 45 minutes. Alicia Bibi (Marlborough, Mass./Marlborough) put a ball on goal in the opening minute and Alexandra Brauer (Lake Grove, N.Y./St. John The Baptist Diocesan) got an attempt off in the 39^th minute, but Sophia Mannino denied the only two shots she faced in the New Jersey City goal in the opening half. The Gothic Knights did get six shots off in the period, but none were able to make their way on target to Macey Girard (Branford, Conn./Branford) in the Manhattanville net.

It took two and a half minutes following halftime for the Valiants to break the stalemate. Following a Gothic Knight foul, Kailey Roxo (Seymour, Conn./Seymour) took the free kick opportunity from 30 yards out and placed the ball in the top right corner of the net past Mannino's outstretched arms. The goal was Roxo's third of her collegiate career and Manhattanville's first tally of the season.

The advantage remained with Manhattanville for the next ten minutes before NJCU's Nyorhah Alvarenga beat a diving Girard to the far side off a pass from Kim Brites.

The Gothic Knights were relentless over the closing 32 minutes, accounting for five of the final six shots on goal. Despite the uptick in work on her side of the field,
Girard withstood the barrage to keep the visitors to their lone tally. Stephanie Sanchez (Rye, N.Y./The Masters School) finally managed to generate a final chance for Manhattanville in the 86^th minute, but Manhattanville's fourth and final shot on net was easily handled by Mannino to lead to the draw.

Girard finished with six saves, all in the second half, to move to 0-1-1 on the season as the Valiants' lead keeper. The junior holds a 1.00 goals against average with an .846 save percentage through the opening two games and sits six saves shy of 200 for her career.

The Gothic Knights outshot Manhattanville 19-9 total on the day. Both teams finished the contest with two corner kick opportunities.

Up Next
The Valiants remain at home this weekend, taking on Ramapo at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

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