RYE, NY - Using four different scorers, the third-seeded Manhattanville University men's hockey team breezed by sixth-seeded Brockport, 4-1, on Wednesday evening in the UCHC Championship Tournament First Round. With the win, the Valiants advance to the semifinals round of the bracket to tango with second-seeded Geneseo on March 1 at 7:00 unfolding on the ice of Ira S. Wilson Arena. 

Manhattanville was able to grab ahold of the lead early in the first period, using the stick of Ryan McKenna, who cleaned up the mess in front of the net after a kick save from the Golden Eagles netminder following a play from Caden Eaton and Raymond Speerbrecker, giving the Valiants the 1-0 lead 5:16 into the period. Neither goaltender would see much action, as the shots on goal sat at 5-2 in favor of the Valiants. 

In the second stanza, the Valiants added to their margin in similar fashion to the first, as 7:01 into the second period with Lane Paddison mopping up in the crease with help from Corey Popowcer and Mitchell Watson, putting Manhattanville ahead 2-0. Brockport would subsequently answer back from Spencer Flansburg connecting with his brother Schuyler Flansburg and Sacha Trudel, to cut into the Valiants lead, 2-1, with three minutes remaining in the second period.  

Manhattanville would reestablish their two-goal lead quickly in the third period, with the southpaw Mitchell Watson firing a shot from the point after being set up by Lane Paddison, putting the Valiants up 3-1 with 1:32 elapsed in the third. Just thirty-nine seconds later, Elijah Devereaux would coral the puck from a Brockport defenseman, breaking past the blue line alone and deking the goalie for the 4-1 margin and the victory in the UCHC Championship Tournament First Round. 

William Billequey got the nod in the crease for the Valiants, turning away 20 shots faced his way for a .952 save percentage.  

Caden Eaton led the offensive output with seven shots sent towards the net. Nicholas Rogers and Paddison both followed suit with five apiece. 

Brockport paced the Valiants on the faceoff dot, with 28 wins to 21. Devereaux led the Valiants with six wins as Johno Hoins finished with five. 

Manhattamville improved to 10-15-1 with the win, while Brockport wrapped up its first season as a UCHC member with a 6-18-2 mark.

Up Next 

The Valiants now prepare to take on the second-seeded Knights on Saturday for a berth in the UCHC Finals.