ASTON, PA – Four unanswered 2nd period goals from Neumann took down the Manhattanville College women’s hockey team Saturday afternoon in United Collegiate Hockey Conference action, as the Knights swept the weekend series from the Valiants, winning by a score of 4-2.
Junior Nicole Mensi (Mamaroneck, N.Y./SUNY Plattsburgh) put Manhattanville (1-2-0, 0-2-0 UCHC) on the board first, converting on the power play at the 13:33 mark of the 1st period off an assist from senior Maeve O’Brien (Chicago, Ill./Chicago Fury). O’Brien’s assist gave her at least one point in four of her last five games dating back to last season. Mensi’s second goal of the season was the only tally of the period, despite a 19-3 shot advantage for the Valiants.
Neumann (4-1-1, 2-0-0 UCHC) tied the game on Katelyn Brown’s goal within the first 90 seconds of the second period. The freshman’s goal gave her four points in the Knights’ five games this season. Bek Lucas took over there from there for Neumann, scoring two goals in 46 seconds, at the 4:55 and 5:41 marks, propelling the Knights out in front 3-1. Lucas added her third of the period at the 15:40 mark, her fourth goal in Neumann’s last two games, for a 4-1 Knights lead.
Senior Karly Kapur (Sparta, N.J./N.J. Colonials) scored her third goal of the season at the 17:55 mark of the period off assists from freshman Tianna Lopes (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Pacific Steelers) and senior Kristi Peters (Newport Beach, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks) to trim Manhattanville’s deficit to 4-2 heading to the final 20 minutes; Peters recorded her first point of the season, while Lopes recorded the first point of her collegiate career.
The Valiants controlled the action for much of the third period, outshooting Neumann 18-4, but goalie Julia Fair stopped every Manhattanville shot, finishing with 47 saves, surpassing the 43 saves teammate Helen Cooney made the night before.
The Valiants are back in action Friday night in their home opener at Playland Ice Casino at 7 p.m. against Wesleyan, the first of five straight home contests for the team to end the year.
