AMHERST, Mass. – Sophomore netminder Rose Pijaca (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Academy) stopped a season-high 35 shots, but the offense was shutout by the Amherst defense as the Valiants fell 1-0 in a closely contested matchup in non-conference play Friday evening at Orr Rink.
Pijaca allowed just one goal on the night, coming off the stick of Miriam Eickhoff with 6:20 remaining in the third period but it turned out to be the difference maker as Manhattanville (6-3-0) were unable to find the back of the net for the first time this season.
Junior Sarah Sinning (Southold, N.Y./National Sports Academy) led the Valiants with five shots on goal on the night, with fellow junior Melissa Stys (Pequannock, N.J./The Kent School) and sophomore Kat Reilly (Holbrook, N.Y./Boston Shamrocks (JWHL)) each registering two shots apiece. The Valiants were outshot by Amherst (3-3-1) 36-18, and the Purple and White goaltender Bailey Plaman stopped every shot she faced to earn the win.
Manhattanville had three power play opportunities, but Amherst’s seventh ranked penalty kill unit continued its impressive play, killing off each opportunity. On the defensive end, the Valiants also killed off all three penalties of their own on the evening to improve their penalty kill percentage to 85 percent on the season.
After battling to two scoreless periods in the first 40 minutes of action, the Purple and White finally broke through late for the game’s only goal, when Eickhoff scored unassisted to give Amherst the 1-0 victory.
The Valiants are back in action tomorrow when they travel to Williams for a 7:00 pm faceoff.
