RYE, N.Y. – Freshman Morgan Wilm (West Chester, Pa./Millbrook Mustangs) scored her first career goal and the rest of the Manhattanville College offensive attack controlled the tempo Friday evening at Playland Ice Casino as the Valiants defeated Saint Michael’s 2-1 in their penultimate regular season game.
Manhattanville (9-15-0 overall, 7-9-0 NEHC) dominated on the offensive end in the first period, outshooting the Purple Knights (5-17-1 overall, 3-13-0 NEHC) 21-6 in the opening frame. Just over the midway part of the period, freshman Morgan Wilm (West Chester, Pa./Millbrook Mustangs) found the back of the net, deflecting home a centering pass from sophomore Karly Kapur (Sparta, N.J./Sparta High School) for her first career goal. Just thirty seconds later, the Valiants would strike again, this time with sophomore Kristy Peters sending a one-timer top-shelf to beat Abby Burke and double the Valiant advantage.
The Valiants had several more opportunities in the frame, but were unable to capitalize and entered the first intermission leading 2-0. Saint Michael’s was able to slow down the Valiant attack in the second period, holding Manhattanville scoreless in the stanza. The Valiants best opportunity came on a loose puck in front of the net midway through the period. Sophomore Monika Molnar (Budapest, Hungary/Vasas HC) was turned away with a nice save from Burke on a shot through traffic to keep it a two-goal game.
In the final frame, Manhattanville once again was slowed on the offensive attack, but still was able to finish the game with a 37-19 advantage in the shots on goal department. The Valiants were once again held scoreless in the period, and were forced to hold off a Purple Knight attack late in the period. With 4:58 to play, Carolyn Avery buried a rebound off of a shot from Athena Akiki to cut the deficit in half. The Valiant defense stepped up in the final minutes however, not allowing Saint Michael’s to set up an attack with the extra attacker after Burke headed to the bench with just over a minute to play.
The Valiants kicked off Senior Weekend with a victory, and will look to keep the momentum going tomorrow when they host third place Saint Anselm at Playland Ice Casino on Senior Day. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 P.M. with the senior ceremonies to occur before player introductions.
