RYE, N.Y. – The Valiants came from behind in the third period to take down the Spartans of Castleton University 3-2 in their season opener Friday evening on the home ice of Playland Ice Casino.
Senior Oliva Drew was solid in goal all night for the Valiants (1-0, 1-0 NEHC), stopping 23 saves while allowing just two goals to earn her sixth career win in net. For the Spartans (0-2, 0-1 NEHC), rookie goaltender Alexis Kalm made 22 saves in her first collegiate appearance but the Valiants were able to put home three shots in the home opener.
Manhattanville held the advantage after the first 20 minutes of play thanks in part to the first career goal from freshman defender Zoey Pellowitz (Arlington, Va./Washington Pride). After picking up a puck from sophomore Morgan Wilm (West Chester, Pa./Millbrook Mustangs), she weaved her way through traffic and fired home a wrist shot on the doorstep to give the Valiants the 1-0 advantage that they would take into the locker room for the first intermission.
The visitors came storming back in the second period however. On a power play opportunity early in the period, Castleton put home a loose puck after Drew attempted a diving cover in front of her crease. The Spartans took the lead late in the frame again on the power play when Nicolle Trivino took an outlet pass behind the Valiant defense and beat Drew on the breakaway to make it 2-1.
After starting the third period on the power play, junior Sarah Sinning (Southold, N.Y./National Sports Academy) beat Kalm with a wrister from the left faceoff circle after taking a beautiful two-line pass from Wilm, tying the score at two goals apiece.
The Valiants used the momentum to continue their offensive pressure, scoring the game winning goal just over three minutes later when sophomore Kat Reilly (Holbrook, N.Y./Boston Shamrocks (JWHL)) put home a rebound attempt in a wide open net after a shot from junior Cassie Kent (Lake Placid, NY/Northwood) was turned away by Kalm.
Manhattanville did not make it easy on themselves, as they took three penalties in the final 10:21 of the third period, but the defense stood tall, killing off all three opportunities and holding off the Spartans after they pulled Kalm with just over one minute remaining in regulation.
The Valiants will have their hands full tomorrow but will look to keep the momentum going when they play host to nationally ranked Norwich University at 3:00 pm at Playland Ice Casino. The Cadets are currently ranked 7th in the D3Hockey.com Poll and 8th in the USCHO poll. Manhattanville will also welcome back members of previous Valiant squads for Alumni Day with an alumni game scheduled for 12:30 pm.
