FAIRPORT, N.Y. – An early-morning defensive battle was decided by a third period goal as the Manhattanville University women's hockey team fell 1-0 at St. John Fisher to close out the first-ever series between the two teams. The Valiants fall to 2-14-1 (2-4-0 UCHC), while the Cardinals leap Manhattanville in the conference standings for fifth place at 2-3-1 (7-9-1 overall).

The Valiants generated 26 shots on net, their sixth-highest total in a game this season, and held the Cardinals to just 19 pucks on target. Despite the advantage in offensive opportunities, Saturday marked the fourth time that Manhattanville was held scoreless on the year.

Defense dominated through 40 minutes of action before the Cardinals found the elusive opening 1:21 into the third. Keira Reckley provided the difference maker with an unassisted tally in the early going of the frame while shorthanded. From there, Brynn Bacak slammed the door shut as the Valiants were unable to generate any shots over the rest of the power play and challenged the St. John Fisher goalie with just three shots over the final 20 minutes of play. It was the freshman's third shutout of the season, finishing the day with 26 saves.

Olivia Cimorelli (West Deptford, N.J./The Hill School / Ironbound Elite) wasn't tested often as Manhattanville's defense did a solid job denying the Cardinals from setting up shop in the offensive zone outside of conceding the shorthanded tally. The sophomore made 18 saves on 19 shots, with her busiest period coming in the 12-save scoreless second.

Catrina Chinetti (Hyde Park, Mass./Boston Latin Academy / East Coast Wizards) kept firing the puck all game long, looking to find the elusive goal for the Valiants. The senior led the attack for a second-straight day as she took seven shots on cage. Kayla Leonard (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield High School) and Colby Cantor (Norwell, Mass./North American Hockey Academy) added four shots each, with the latter blocking a pair of shots.

The Cardinals went 31-20 in the battle of the faceoff dots. Jada Mackinnon (Barrington, Nova Scotia, Canada/King's Edgehill School) found the most success for the Vals with 10 draw wins.

Manhattanville finished 0-for-3 on the power play, conceding the shorthanded goal while logging six total shots. The Cardinals were also unable to score with the extra skater, going 0-for-2 with five shots.

Up Next
The Valiants hope a return home is what is needed to right the ship as Manhattanville opens Alumni and Senior Weekend on Friday against Hilbert College at 7 p.m.

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