WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Manhattanville University men's lacrosse program opened the 2026 campaign at the University of Saint Joseph on Saturday afternoon, falling short in a third-quarter comeback 8-10, putting the Valiants 0-1 early and the Hawks to a 1-0 start.
The Valiants were led by Dylan Foley (Northport, N.Y./Northport) and Frank Tallerico (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) on offense. Foley produced three goals on four shots with three groundballs and one assist. Tallerico was close behind with two goals while leading the team with three assists, totaling five points in the opening game.
Jake Trobel, Tyler Berch (Syosset, N.Y./Syosset), and Drew Palladino (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) all added a goal to the scoreboard, with Trobel adding an assist.
The Blue Jays were led by Nick Pestrichello with four goals, followed by Adam Pelletier and Freeman Johnson with two apiece. The home team forced the Valiants to turn over the ball 12 times.

The home team struck first three minutes into the game, answered by Foley just 30 seconds later. The Valiants kept the Blue Jays on even playing field with Berch and Palladino scoring soon after initial strikes to keep the game within one after the first half, 3-4. In the second quarter, Saint Joseph (Conn.) controlled the field, only allowing Manhattanville one goal compared to their three. The score sat at 4-7 after the first 30 minutes.
The Valiants came into the second half hot, outscoring the Blue Jays 4-2 in the third quarter. Tallerico got the ball rolling, followed by Foley with two, and Strobel fighting to the back of the net in a man-down situation, heading into the final 15 minutes down 8-9.
Despite the team's effort in the third, the Blue Jays held off scoring one in the fourth to secure the 10-8 victory over the Valiants.

Up Next – The Valiants play in the home opener on Saturday, Feb 28, against FDU-Florham with faceoff set for 1 PM.