PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville University Valiants opened play at GoValiants.com Field, defeating Farmingdale State College (2-4-2, 0-1 SKY), 1-0 behind a late goal from
Tiernan McLaughlin (Yonkers, N.Y./Fordham Prep). The victory keeps the Valiants undefeated on the season at 4-0-3, opening conference play at 1-0-0.
The Valiants set a new program-record with Saturday's decision, opening the season with seven-straight matches without suffering a loss. Manhattanville's previous longest unbeaten stretch to begin a year came in 1999 when the Valiants won their first six matches before finally suffering a loss.
The Valiants controlled the offensive tempo throughout the afternoon, out shooting the Rams 29-9 across the 90 minutes. Manhattanville fired 11 shots in the opening half with shots by
Emanuele Ricci (Como, Italy/Liceo Orsoline Dedalo Como),
Roberto Velasquez-Osorio (Monticello, N.Y./Monticello),
Alec Pineda (Yonkers, N.Y./Port Chester),
Alex Rojas (Mastic, N.Y./William Floyd), and
Koky Duarte (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas). Neither team was able to break through as the teams entered halftime scoreless.
Manhattanville continued to apply pressure after the break. Just over four minutes into the second half,
Luis Del Riego (Madrid, Spain/Rafa Nadal International) nearly put the Valiants ahead when his header struck the crossbar. McLaughlin followed with an attempt on goal in the 52
nd minute that was turned away by Farmingdale goalkeeper Vas Dallas.
The breakthrough finally came through in the 86
th minute when Ricci connected with Pineda who connected with McLaughlin, who finished with a header that found the back of the net at 85:08 to give Manhattanville the 1-0 advantage. The goal marked McLaughlin's third goal of the season, and second game winning goal.
Farmingdale State made one final push immediately following the goal, but the Manhattanville defense held strong.
Jesse James de Ruiter (Hoensbroek, the Netherlands/Eijkhagen Charlemagne College) went the full 90 minutes in the net to preserve the clean sheet as the Valiants secured the 1-0 home-opening victory.
Manhattanville controlled the offensive pace throughout the match, out shooting Farmingdale State 29-9 in the first half, and an 18-6 advantage in the second. Pineda led the Valiants in shots, recording seven for the match. He was closely followed by Velasquez-Osorio with five, and four other players with at least one shot.
UP NEXT
The Valiants have a quick turnaround as they defend their home turf tomorrow at 12PM against Rowan University.
