HENNIKER, N.H. – Manhattanville men's hockey delivered a complete road performance on Friday night, shutting out New England College 5–0 on the Pilgrims' home ice. Behind a flawless effort from goaltender William Billequey (Montreal, Quebec/Vermont Lumberjacks (EHL)) and five goals, the Valiants controlled the pace from start to finish to open the new year with authority.
The opening period featured heavy pressure from New England early, but Billequey stood tall, turning away a steady stream of chances in the first five minutes as the Pilgrims tested the Valiants' defense. Manhattanville gradually settled into the game, generating quality looks from Jack Roberts (Middlefield, CT/Lyman Hall), Corey Popowcer (Parkland, Fla./Vermont Lumberjacks (EHL)), Johno Hoins (Telluride, Colo./The Frederick Gunn School / Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL)), Lucas Baksay (Fairfield, Conn./Connecticut Roughriders (EHL)), Jack Cullen (Trumbull, Conn./Charlotte Rush (USPHL)), and Caden Eaton (Indian River, Mich./Cornwall Colts (CCHL)), while keeping the contest scoreless through 20 minutes. Special teams were tested late in the frame, but both sides came up empty as the Valiants' penalty kill held firm.
Manhattanville broke through midway through the second period. At 6:44, Mitchell Watson (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/Canmore Eagles (AJHL)) opened the scoring with his first goal of the season, capitalizing on sustained offensive-zone pressure to give the Valiants a 1–0 lead. The momentum continued just minutes later when Tyler Rolston (Newport, Pa./P.A.L Jr. Islanders (NCDC)) doubled the advantage at 10:40, finishing a setup from Ryan McKenna (Spokane, Wash./Sheridan Hawks (NA3HL)) and Baksay to make it 2–0. Billequey continued to anchor the back end, including a key stop on a New England shot that rang off the post before the Valiants closed the period firmly in control.
The third period cemented the result as Manhattanville poured it on offensively while maintaining defensive discipline. Cameron Vassos (Caledon, Ontario/Navan Grads (CCHL)) extended the lead to 3–0 at 11:12, finishing a feed from McKenna. Just 89 seconds later, Eaton added his first goal of the season to push the margin to four. The Valiants capped the scoring at 14:56 when Roberts netted his fourth goal of the year, assisted by Brett LoGelfo (Long Island, N.Y./Westhampton Beach), prompting a goaltending change for New England College.
Billequey closed the door the rest of the way, completing the shutout with a composed third period that included key penalty-kill saves late. His steady presence ensured Manhattanville never relinquished control, even as the Pilgrims pushed for a late response.
Up Next:
The Valiants return to action Tuesday, January 6th as they continue their road swing, heading to Newport Rhode Island to face Salve Regina at 8 PM.
