Eastern Connecticut - 1, Farmingdale State - 0
Purchase, N.Y. – With the only goal of the game coming in the 22nd minute, the Rams fell 1-0 to Eastern Connecticut on day one of the 2013 Valiant Classic hosted by Manhattanville College on Friday afternoon at GoValiants.com Field.
The first great chance of the game came off the foot of Eastern Connecticut junior Whitney Mantel in the 12th minute. The Warriors' leading scorer went in one-on-one with Farmingdale State sophomore keeper Breanna Blair (Littleton, Colo.), but her shot from the right side of the box was stopped by Blair and her defense was able to clear out the rebound.
But Eastern Connecticut still managed to get on the board first just about 10 minutes later, as senior midfielder Nicole Leonard connected for her first goal of the year. Sophomore Maggie Sayers served the ball into the box for Mantel, and she redirected the ball to Leonard for the put away.
Eastern Connecticut did not manage a shot in the second half, but the Warriors played solid defense and kept Farmingdale State to only one shot on goal to preserve the win.
Farmingdale State (1-2) held a 10-5 edge on shots, but the Warriors (3-0) held the 3-2 advantage on shots on goal. Eastern Connecticut's junior goalkeeper Rachel Skelton made two saves for the win, while the Rams' Breanna Blair finished the game in defeat with two saves.
Eastern Connecticut and Farmingdale State will both return to action tomorrow on day two of the Valiant Classic. ECSU will take on Buffalo State in game one beginning at 4:30 p.m., while Farmingdale State will take on host Manhattanville at 7:00 p.m. Live video will be provided for the Farmingdale State/Manhattanville game at http://www.govaliants.tv/.
*****