FRANKLIN, Mass. – Manhattanville University field hockey began the 2026 campaign on the road facing Dean College (2-0) on Saturday afternoon. The Valiants (0-1) dropped its first game of the season, 1-0.
Â
Manhattanville rushed the field, with Fiona Doherty (Clarkstown, N.Y./Clarkstown South) getting the first shot off in the first minute of the game. After the save, the home team carried forth, earning the first penalty corner, ultimately converting for an early lead just over two minutes in.
Emelina Leccese (Rocky Point, N.Y./Rocky Point) attempted to push the momentum forward, firing three shots towards the cage to no avail. The first 15 came to a close with two shots from Doherty and Emma Masie's (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) first fire of the day.
Hannah Doherty (Clarkstown, N.Y./Clarkstown South) stood strong in the net for the Valiants through the remainder of the first half as the Bulldogs failed to convert on five separate corner opportunities; three coming consecutively to begin the second 15.
Coming back from the break, the Valiants were shut down by the Bulldogs and did not get through a single shot in the third period. Doherty tallied eight additional saves in the third period to keep the game within one. Alexandria Maresca (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) laid it out for her first defensive save of the season.
Dean College continued to increase its momentum in the final quarter of play, adding a second goal to the board with less than five minutes to play.
Doherty racked up a total of 13 saves, coming one short of tying her career-high.
Â
Up Next
The Valiants head to Danbury, Conn., to face WestConn on Tuesday at 4 PM
VALIANTS on SOCIAL MEDIA For the latest on Manhattanville Athletics, follow the Valiants via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads and YouTube. #WeAreValiant #GoValiants
