RYE, N.Y. — The Manhattanville University men's hockey team opened its first weekend of home conference play in 2026 with a strong performance against the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles. The conference victory was highlighted by several first-time goals and a standout performance between the pipes from William Billequey (Montreal, Quebec/Vermont Lumberjacks (EHL)).
The opening period featured aggressive, fast-paced play from both teams as the Valiants worked to establish an early advantage. Mitchell Watson (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Canmore Eagles (AJHL)) led Manhattanville with three shots, including one on goal, while Jack Roberts (Middlefield, CT/Lyman Hall) followed closely with two shots, both on target. Brockport answered with offensive pressure of its own, nearly striking first when a shot rang off the post with just over four minutes remaining in the period.
Manhattanville broke through late in the first period. With just under three minutes remaining, the Valiants earned their first power-play opportunity of the night and capitalized on the extra skater. Following a sustained offensive zone attack, Tristian D'Elia finished a feed from Corey Popowcer (Parkland, Fla./Vermont Lumberjacks (EHL)) and Lucas Baskay to record his third goal of the season, giving Manhattanville a 1–0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The Golden Eagles tested the Valiants early in the second period with sustained offensive pressure and a flurry of shots. Manhattanville responded with a myriad of scoring chances from Johno Hoins (Telluride, Colo./The Frederick Gunn School / Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL)), Brandon Paluszak (Powell, Ohio/Gilmour Academy), Caden Eaton (Indian River, Mich./Cornwall Colts (CCHL)), Zach Choueiri (Montreal, Quebec/Renfrew Wolves (CCHL)), Frederick D'Amours, Zach Turner (Eagle, Colo./Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL)), Roberts, and Baskay.
Brockport eventually found the equalizer after an extended stretch in the Valiants' defensive zone, but the tie was short-lived. Less than a minute later, Eaton answered with an even-strength goal—his second of the season—to restore Manhattanville's lead at 2–1. The Valiants continued to build momentum when Choueiri finished a setup from D'Elia to score his first goal of the season, extending the advantage moments later.
With just under three minutes remaining in the period, Manhattanville maintained offensive pressure until Matthew McCormack (Bronxville, N.Y./South Kent) buried his first goal of the season off a feed from Turner and Hoins, pushing the lead to 4–1. Brockport responded late in the frame with a goal of its own, cutting the deficit to 4–2 heading into the second intermission.
Entering the third period, the Valiants brought sustained energy and continued their strong play through the final 20 minutes. Both teams generated scoring chances, battling until the final whistle. Manhattanville sealed the victory with an ice-length empty-net goal by Tyler Rolston (Newport, Pa./P.A.L Jr. Islanders (NCDC)), securing a 5–2 home conference win.
Up Next:
The Valiants return to the Playland Ice Casino tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM to face SUNY Brockport, closing out their first weekend of home conference play in 2026.
