PLATTSBURGH, N.Y – Manhattanville University (3-0-2) saved it's best for the closing minutes on Saturday against Plattsburgh (2-3-0), scoring twice in the final nine minutes to rally past the Cardinals 2-1.
Tiernan McLaughlin (Yonkers, N.Y./Fordham Prep) provided both goals for the Valiants to complete the comeback.
After a scoreless opening half, the two sides continued to battle deep into the second half. Manhattanville created several opportunities after the break, with
Roberto Velasquez-Osorio (Monticello, N.Y./Monticello) repeatedly testing the Plattsburgh defense, recording three shot attempts.
The intense deadlock was finally broken in the 81
st minute when Plattsburgh's Tristan Laundree found the back of the net to give the Cardinals a 1-0 advantage.
Manhattanville wasted little time responding. Just 59 seconds later,
Koky Duarte (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas) connected with McLaughlin, who buried a goal into the upper-right portion of the net to level the contest 1-1. Duarte recorded his first assist of the season.
With just under four minutes remaining, the big breakthrough came.
Alex Rojas (Mastic, N.Y./William Floyd) assisted McLaughlin, who scored the game-winning goal that pushed Manhattanville in front 2-1.
The Valiants' defense took care of the rest, blocking Plattsburgh's final shot attempt in the 89
th minute before the final whistle sealed the comeback victory.
Jesse James de Ruiter (Hoensbroek, the Netherlands/Eijkhagen Charlemagne College) helped keep Manhattanville within striking distance throughout the contest, recording a season high of three saves against the Cardinals.
UP NEXT
The Valiants are on the road Sept. 16, looking to remain undefeated as they face Rutgers-Newark at 7PM.
