HERSHEY, PA. – The Manhattanville College women’s ice hockey team clinched at least a share of the regular-season Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) title Friday afternoon, Nov. 30, with a 5-1 victory on the road over United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) Lebanon Valley College at The Giant Center.
Senior captain Nicole Mensi’s (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Northwood School) offensive skills were on display for the Valiants (6-0-1, 4-0-1 UCHC), as the forward tallied two goals and two assists on the scoresheet against the Flying Dutchmen (2-7, 1-6 UCHC), including the eventual game-winner. Not to be outdone, leading-scorer junior Amanda Sabia (Freehold, N.J./The Gunnery) – fresh off her triple-award week (MAC, UCHC and D3Hockey.com) – finished with a goal and an assist as well.
The first goal of the game was a quick one, as junior Janet Xu (Edmonton, Alta./Ontario Hockey Academy) found Mensi just 1:16 into the first period. Just over two minute later, though, the Valiants were called for too many players on the ice and LebVal went on the game’s first power play at 3:34. Just 15 seconds later, the Dutchmen converted to knot it up at 1-1. Despite Manhattanville outshooting LebVal 23-5 in the first, the score remained tied after one period of play.
Mensi started things off early in the second once again, with Xu and senior assistant captain Ellis Smith (Buffalo, N.Y./Niagara Junior Purple Eagles (WNYAHL)) notching the assists at 1:36 to put Manhattanville up 2-1 – a lead the road squad would hold for the remainder of the game. There were seven penalties called in the second, including three Dutchmen power plays and two for the Valiants – neither team converted. Manhattanville outshot Lebanon Valley 13-5.
The Valiants poured it on in the third, scoring three times, beginning with Sabia on the power play from Mensi and junior Zoey Pellowitz (Arlington, Va./Washington Pride (JWHL)) at 7:05 into the final period. Sophomore Tianna Lopes (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Pacific Steelers (JWHL)) tallied the final two goals of the game. The first came at 10:55 into the third from Smith, with the latter coming from Sabia and Mensi with 8:20 remaining on the clock.
Overall, the Valiants outshot the Flying Dutchmen 54-11.
Manhattanville returns to the ice tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 1, for the second of the two games against LebVal. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. If the Valiants win or tie, they become the outright MAC Regular-Season champions.
