RYE, N.Y. — The Manhattanville College women’s hockey team continued their strong play to start the season, defeating Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) and United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) rival King’s College (Pa.) 6-1 in their home opener Friday, Nov. 16 at Playland Ice Casino.
The Valiants got on the board early, with junior Brayden James (Denton, Texas/Dallas Stars Elite (EHL)) picking up her first goal of the season just 2:41 into the first period to give Manhattanville a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Ashley DeFusco (Cranston, R.I./La Salle Academy) then scored her first of the year later in the period to give the Valiants a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Manhattanville kept up the offense in the second period, as junior Zoey Pellowitz (Arlington, Va./Washington Pride (JWHL)) scored her second goal of the season early in the second to put the Valiants up 3-0. Just over three minutes later, DeFusco picked up her second of the night to put the Valiants up by four. The team added one more before the end of the period, as senior capitain Nicole Mensi (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Northwood School) scored with just under two minutes remaining to stretch the Valiants lead to 5-0 going into the third period.
The Valiants added one more goal in the third, as James scored her second of the night to put the Valiants ahead 6-0. King’s would get on the board late in the third, as Gracen Mahoney would score on a breakaway in the final minutes to deny the Valiants the shutout.
James and DeFusco led the way for the Valiants with two goals apice, and senior goaltender Rose Pijaca (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Academy) made 11 saves and picked up her second victory of the season.
The Valiants will look to pick up in their second win in as many days versus King’s tomorrow, as they skate with the Monarchs at Playland tomorrow afternoon with puck drop scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
