GENESEO, N.Y. – The Manhattanville University men's hockey team faced a challenging road test on Saturday afternoon, falling to SUNY Geneseo despite a determined effort highlighted by a strong performance from sophomore goaltender Tripp Clarke (Cazenovia, N.Y./Northern Cyclones (USPHL Premier)) and consistent offensive pressure throughout the lineup.
Geneseo opened the scoring just 24 seconds into the first period, but Clarke quickly found his rhythm and steadied the Valiants through a sustained opening-period surge from the Knights. The senior goal tender was tested repeatedly during extended defensive-zone sequences and finished the contest with 35 saves, turning aside quality chances from all areas of the ice.
Manhattanville responded with energy in the opening frame, generating offensive looks from Corey Popowcer (Parkland, Fla./Vermont Lumberjacks (EHL)), Mitchell Watson (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Canmore Eagles (AJHL)), Lucas Baksay (Fairfield, Conn./Connecticut Roughriders (EHL)), Jack Roberts (Middlefield, CT/Lyman Hall), Brandon Paluszak (Powell, Ohio/Gilmour Academy), Caden Eaton (Indian River, Mich./Cornwall Colts (CCHL)), and Beau Depencier (Dresden, Ontario, Canada/LKCS). Popowcer was particularly active, leading all Valiants with three shots on goal in the first period, while consistently challenging Geneseo goaltender and helping drive play through the neutral and offensive zones. Despite the push, Geneseo added a second goal at the 13:13 mark to carry a 2–0 advantage into the first intermission.
The Valiants opened the second period with one of their strongest stretches of the game, registering multiple shots in rapid succession as Ryan McKenna (Spokane, Wash./Sheridan Hawks (NA3HL)), Johno Hoins (Telluride, Colo./The Frederick Gunn School / Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL)), Jack Cullen (Trumbull, Conn./Charlotte Rush (USPHL)), Lane Paddison (100 Mile House, Canada/Canmore Eagles (AJHL)), and Watson each generated quality scoring opportunities. Clarke remained sharp at the opposite end, continuing to deny Geneseo and keep Manhattanville within striking distance. A major penalty midway through the period provided the Valiants with extended power-play time, during which Hoins rang a shot off the post and both Baksay and Popowcer forced saves, though the score remained unchanged heading into the final period.
Geneseo added two early goals in the third period at 1:10 and 5:02, but Manhattanville continued to compete, applying pressure offensively and committing to shot blocking in the defensive zone to limit second-chance opportunities. Clarke remained composed under sustained pressure, making several key saves late in the contest. The Knights ultimately capitalized on special teams in the closing minutes, scoring two goals nearly a minute apart to seal a 7–0 final in favor of Geneseo.
Up Next:
The Valiants are back on home ice at Playland Ice Casino next Friday, January 23, at 7 PM, hosting SUNY Brockport.
