PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Manhattanville University men's soccer remained unbeaten on Friday after battling SUNY Potsdam (1-2-1) to a 3-2 victory in the opening match of the Holiday Inn Express Cardinal Classic. The Valiants move to 2-0-2 for the season.
Manhattanville applied pressure early, breaking through in the 27
th minute with a goal by
Roberto Velasquez-Osorio (Monticello, N.Y./Monticello), his third of the year. Potsdam responded just under ten minutes later with Logan Bush finding the back of the net to bring the match to an even 1-1.
The Valiants wasted little time reclaiming their lead. With less than two minutes remaining in the opening half,
Alec Pineda (Yonkers, N.Y./Port Chester) scored off an assist from
Nickolas Pagan (Valley Stream, N.Y./Valley Stream North), sending Manhattanville into the break with a 2-1 lead. For Pineda, the goal was his second of the year, while Pagan picked up his second assist of the season.
Postdam came out aggressive in the second half, forcing
Dwayne Brown II (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) to make a pair of saves within the first three minutes after only being tested twice over the first 45. The Bears eventually scored in the 66
th minute, when Wyatt Mokey scored off an assist by Kyan Tiede.
The Valiants responded almost immediately, with
Jacob Mazza (Center Moriches, N.Y./Center Moriches) delivering the game-winning goal assisted by
Tiernan McLaughlin (Yonkers, N.Y./Fordham Prep) in the 70
th minute, putting Manhattanville up 3-2. The Manhattanville defense held Potsdam without another shot on goal for the final 20 minutes of the match.
Brown II finished with four total saves in 59:56 of playing time. He was relieved by
Jesse James de Ruiter (Hoensbroek, the Netherlands/Eijkhagen Charlemagne College), who played the remaining 30:04 and earned his first win in a Valiant uniform.
The Manhattanville offense was strong, finishing with five players having at least one shot on goal.
UP NEXT
The Valiants return to the field tomorrow to face Plattsburgh State at 4pm, for the final match of the Holiday Inn Express Cardinal Classic.
