RYE, N.Y. – Junior Nicole Mensi (Mamaroneck, N.Y./SUNY Plattsburgh) and sophomore Amanda Sabia (Freehold, N.J./The Gunnery) each tallied three points as the Manhattanville College women’s hockey team won its 2017-18 home opener at Playland Ice Casino Friday night, besting Wesleyan 3-1.
Mensi assisted on Sabia’s first period power-play goal, and Sabia returned the favor with assists on each of Mensi’s two second period goals. Alicia Nickolenko scored for Wesleyan (0-1-0).
Sabia struck just past the midway point of the opening period off assists from Mensi and senior Sarah Sinning (Southold, N.Y./National Sports Academy) for her first goal of the season, following a seven-goal freshman campaign. Nickolenko answered back on the power play in the final 35 seconds of the period off assists from Sarah Goss and Grace Keogh. Manhattanville (2-2-0) ended the period with a 14-4 shot advantage.
In the second period, Mensi broke the tie at the 6:22 mark, then after four saves from Wesleyan goalie Allegra Grant, added an insurance goal at the 14:18 mark with a well-placed glove-side wrist shot. Senior Kristi Peters (Newport Beach, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks) added her second assist of the season on Mensi’s second goal. Mensi’s performance gave her a team-leading four goals on the young season, with Sabia assisting on three of them.
The Valiants maintained their offensive pressure in the final period, adding 13 more shots, not allowing the Cardinals to pull Grant for an extra attacker in the closing minutes.
Sophomore Taylor Elias (Winnipeg, Man./Canadian International Hockey Academy), making her first start of the season, stopped 20 of Wesleyan’s 21 shots, including 10 during the decisive second period. Grant finished with 40 saves, as the Valiants recorded at least 43 shots for the third straight game.
The Valiants are back in action at the Ice Casino Tuesday at 3 p.m. against the Amherst Mammoths.
