PURCHASE, N.Y. – Men's lacrosse is heading to its third consecutive postseason for the first time in program history. The Valiants secured the No. 4 seed for the second straight season and welcome the No. 5-seeded Dolphins to their home field for the first postseason hosting opportunity since 1992.
Men's Lacrosse Preview: No. 4 Manhattanville University versus No. 5 Mount Saint Vincent | Skyline Conference Championship First Round | Tuesday, 6 p.m. | Live Stats | Video |
HOW WE GOT HERE
After a five-season playoff drought broken in 2024, the Valiants are set to make the third-straight trip to the postseason for the first time in program history.
The Valiants enter the playoffs with a two-game win streak, rounding out the regular season with a 17-7 victory over St. Joseph's University Long Island, after cruising by with an 11-5 win over Mount Saint Mary. The other two conference victories came over UMSV and Purchase, outscoring the opponents 26-9.
Manhattanville has been led offensively by Frank Tallerico (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township), including a career-highlighting seven goals in the regular season finale. Tallerico fronts the teams in points with 34 and has been responsible for three game-winning goals while causing seven turnovers and grabbing 29 grounders. Nick Corace (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) follows close behind with 28 total points on 20 goals with eight assists. Corace has grabbed two game-winning goals while causing opponents eight turnovers and grabbing 24 ground balls.
Drew Palladino (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) has found his teammates for a team-leading 11 assists while finding the back of the net 14 times. Palladino has recorded 16 grounders and caused seven turnovers.
Joe Ulzheimer (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) stands as the tip of the defensive diamond for the Valiants, starting in 13 of 14 games, racking up 173 saves with five wins. Outside of his circle, Ulzheimer has caused seven turnovers and grabbed 31 groundballs.
Francisco Rosas (Stratford, Conn./Stratford) has been an electric defender with 45 groundballs and has caused a team-leading 34 turnovers. Chris Guazzo (Rye, N.Y./Rye High School) and Chris Mercado (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen) have been powerhouses for the faceoffs with 54 and 32, respectively.
The Dolphins wrapped up the 2026 regular season 6-10 with a conference record of 3-4 to earn their bid into the tournament. With a 14-10 win over SJLI to start out conference play UMSV went on to take the upper hand against Mount Saint Mary College and Purchase.
LAST TIME OUT
The Valiants and Dolphins met at the beginning of April, as Manhattanville walked away with its first conference victory of the season, 8-6. After even starts in the first half, the Valiants held a slim advantage, outscoring 5- 3 in the second half to secure the road win backed by three goals from Tallerico and Corace as Ulzheimer stood strong with 12 saves.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Tuesday night matchup will be the first time that the two teams have seen each other in a postseason opportunity, dating back to their first meeting in 2005.
TEAM LEADERS
MANHATTNVILLE
Points: Tallerico (34), Corace (28), Palladino (25)
Goals: Tallerico (26), Corace (20), Palladino (14)
Assists: Palladino (11), Foley & Roberts (9)
Ground Balls: Rosas (45), Ulzheimer (31), Tallerico & Beahm (29)
Caused Turnovers: Rosas (34), Beahm (18), Newman (15)
Faceoffs: Guazzo (54), Mercado (32), Klopp (7)
Goals-Against Average: Ulzheimer (11.19), Bell (8.30)
UMSV
Points: Dunlap (21), Walker (17), Hall (15)
Goals: Dunlap (25), Parsons (23), Remes (22)
Assists: Dunlap (21), Walker (17), Hall (15)
Ground Balls: Lamptey (77), Mestres (60), Denier (57)
Caused Turnovers: Mestres (38), Moore (17), Mahon (14)
Faceoffs: Lamptey (100), Denier (97), Simpson (59)
Goals-Against Average: Mills (13.18)
HISTORY
All-Time Record vs UMSV: 14-0
Streak: W14
Series Record at UMSV: 5-0
Last Five Meetings (Home team listed second):
- 4/8/2026 MANHATTANVILLE 8, UMSV 6
- 4/12/2025 UMSV 9, MANHATTANVILLE 21
- 4/20/2024 MANHATTANVILLE 18, UMSV 12
- 4/25/2023 UMSV 8, MANHATTANVILLE 23
- 4/30/2022 MANHATTANVILLE 12, UMSV 7
