RYE, N. – It's another weekend series sweep for the Manhattanville College women's hockey team as they defeated the Alvernia University Golden Wolves, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Valiants improve to 8-9-2 overall and 8-4-2 in UCHC play and now hold 28 points in the conference standings.
Prior to opening faceoff for Down Syndrome Awareness game, the teams were joined on the ice by Cam Mackinnon, brother of Valiant rookie Jada Mackinnon, for a ceremonial puck drop with his sister and Alvernia captain Alex Robertson.
Manhattanville would strike first early as Lindsay Reyes would light the lamp off a dish from Annie Niedermier at 1:16 of the first period. After six combined penalties would be assessed to the Valiants and Golden Wolves through seven minutes of play, Niedermier would find the back of the net herself to capitalize on the lead. Virginia Birnie and Reyes would earn the assists as the Valiants would go up 2-0 heading into the first intermission.
The Valiants would keep the good times rolling as Catrina Chinetti would score to start the second period at 5:07 off an assist from Grace Genest. Alvernia would find a response at 7:39 as Gillian Evans would score the Golden Wolves' only goal of the day from Kathryn Palmer and Robertson.
The final period of regulation would find both teams held scoreless as Alvernia found the most offensive success of the day, putting up 12 total shots. The same would go for the Valiants firing off 11 shots.
Danika Aubin led the team with four shots on goal, while Reyes, Niedermier, Chinetti, and Charlotte Stanwood each fired off three shots.
Franny Gerardi occupied the crease in Saturday's win for the Valiants. The graduate student goalie finished with 24 saves, playing a scoreless first and third period. Gerardi has been strong in her role, ending the weekend with a 2.29 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.
The Golden Wolves would dominate in the faceoff circle, winning 31 draws to the Valiants' 20. Niedermier would lead the team with eight wins, while Grace Felicio added five.
Manhattanville would go 0-for-2 on the power play, firing off only two shots through the four minutes with an extra skater. Alvernia finished 0-for-3 with five total shots on their power play chances.
The Valiants will look to continue their success on the ice as they hit the road to take on Neumann University next weekend.