PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville University men's soccer program prepares for its third trip to the Skyline Conference Finals in the past four years.
After the short-lived postseason run in 2025 came to an end at the hands of No. 5 Farmingdale, the 2026 top-seeded Valiants dominated in a 3-1 victory Wednesday afternoon over the Rams to earn its spot in the battle for the title. Manhattanville hosts No. 3 St. Joseph's Long Island for the chance to bring home the third trophy in the past four years and earn the trip to NCAA Regionals.
Men's Soccer Preview: No. 1 Manhattanville University vs No. 3 St. Joseph's Long Island | Skyline Conference Championship Finals | Saturday, 12 p.m. | Live Stats | Video | Tickets
HOW WE GOT HERE
After clinching the top seed with a 9-1-1 Skyline regular season, the Valiants earned the bye for the first round and the right to host the semifinals. On Wednesday night against No. 5 Farmingdale, the hosts jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first half. After tallying a third goal at the start of the second half, the Valiants held off the Rams' offense before a ball found its way around the keeper to avoid the shutout late in the game. Defense held strong to keep the two-goal lead and clinch their return to the finals.
The semifinals matchup between No.2 Mount Saint Vincent and No.3 SJLI was no standard game. After reaching a draw after regulation, the game proceeded to go into double overtime, where the score remained 2-2. After UMSV fought for the comeback, SJLI ultimately completed the upset with a 4-2 victory in penalty kicks.
LAST TIME OUT
During the regular season, the Valiants suffered its sole conference loss at the hands of the Golden Eagles. After falling behind by two goals in the first half, Alec Pineda (Yonkers, N.Y./Port Chester) scored the lone goal at the start of the second half. Despite the effort, the Vals fell 1-4.
TEAM LEADERS
MANHATTANVILLE
SJLI
- Points: Pulisic (31), Deutsch (21), McDermott (8)
- Goals: Pulisic (13), Deutsch (9), McDermott (3)
- Assists: Pulisic (5), Seara (4), Deutsch & Munoz (3)
- Goals Against Average: Burchard (1.09)
HISTORY
- All-Time Record vs SJLI: 7-10-2
- Streak: L2
- Series Record at home: 2-5-1
- Last Five Matchups (Home team listed second):
- 10/10/2026 SJLI 4, MANHATTANVILLE 1
- 10/4/2025 MANHATTANVILLE 0, SJLI 1
- 11/9/2024 SJLI 3, MANHATTANVILLE 4 (2024 Finals)
- 10/12/2024 MANHATTANVILLE 0, SJLI 3
- 10/7/2023 MANHATTANVILLE 1, SJLI 1
VALIANTS on SOCIAL MEDIA For the latest on Manhattanville Athletics, follow the Valiants via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads and YouTube. #WeAreValiant #GoValiants
