Bragging Rights Deserved

Men’s Basketball Showtime

Purchase, NY - The Valiants looked to bounce back from a 2-0 start to their season. They played their first home game against Purchase and managed to get the win in dramatic fashion with a score of 70-65. The team put on a show for the crowd to enjoy. Junior Juan Camacho was the main attraction ending the game with quite the performance. He managed to get a career-high of 22 points against the team’s local rival.

The crowd was one of the largest crowds seen at the Kennedy Gym, and it was certainly one that fed the energy back to the team. On the court the Valiants managed to steal the show during the first half of the game. Manhattanville had dominated over the opposing team which resulted in the true difference of the game.

It was in the first half that Juan Camacho made a slam dunk that made the fans stand up. It was certainly one of the most memorable moments of the game that had been captured by many smart phones in the room. If there was any moment to showoff, it was this moment. A moment played against the neighbor rival at the first home game.

The Valiants kept fighting for the lead and found themselves in multiple tie-game situations. Purchase kept themselves in the game and had managed to take the lead during the game which the Valiants quickly gained back.

Junior Anthony Maestre also complemented Camacho’s performance with his very own. He managed to help the team with 18 points as well as having six memorable assists. Maestre’s performance came in clutch during the second half of the game and helped aid the team at one point towards a 14-point lead over Purchase.

Purchase had the most points in the second half (48) but that still wasn't enough to beat the Valiants. The Valiants continued to make free-throws that helped push their lead (16-21). The game was close enough that Purchase could have ran with it but the Valiants strength proved to be better in the end.

The men’s basketball team will look to continue their winning efforts as they play their annual AJ Buchanan Classic this Friday at 6:00PM in the Kennedy Gym.

Back At It Again

Women's Basketball Season-Opening Weekend

The Manhattanville women’s basketball team has officially begun their season. They played two away games over the weekend to get their season underway. The first game resulted in a loss against Gwynedd Mercy (67-61) on Saturday. However, their efforts on Sunday helped them win their first game against Haverford (64-60).

“The first game jitters were definitely there. Everything is up for grabs, it’s in the first game that you realize that you have to intensify everything you've been practicing in the off-season,” said Shayna Robinson. “Communication is very important, all the little things matter more.”

This year the Manhattanville women’s basketball team has a handful of freshman who are getting their first taste of the collegiate life. The transition from high school sports to college sports can be tough. It is certainly a factor that comes into play when the first game of the season comes up.

The 2014-2015 season will be Shayna Robinson’s last season playing with the Valiants before she graduates in May. “After all these years things don’t change when it comes to getting back on the court. I know we tend to get ahead of ourselves but we always learn from it,” said Robinson. “I think this weekend proved that to be true.”

While they may not have managed to win the first game, they quickly managed to turn things around during the second game. They made the right adjustments and set the tone for the rest of the season to come. They had seen their strengths and weaknesses from the previous games and they acted on them.

“Everyone contributes something. I feel like the goal of every game is to win and grow as a team. Growth is important as far as a long term goal. That might not always be seen on a win-loss column,” said Shayna Robinson.

As a senior there are many things that come to Robinson’s mind when it comes to reflecting on her collegiate athletic career. “As a senior for me, every day is my last of something. I can’t take anything for granted. You start counting down the days, but at the same time I don’t want to think about how things will end,” said Robinson.

Shayna Robinson and the rest of her team looks forward to playing at home next Tuesday against Purchase. “Playing at home is different. You will go above and beyond to defend your turf. That is exactly what we plan on doing. Defend our turf,” said Shayna Robinson.  

Bittersweet Ending

Captain Reflects on Final Season 

Senior Veronica Ferreiras entered her final season as a member of the Manhattanville women’s volleyball team this year. Serving her third year as the captain of the team, Ferreiras has proven to be a valuable player for the team. She has played for the Valiants for all of the four years that she has spent at Manhattanville.  

“I finished my collegiate athletic career 10^th in single season record history for assists, and 7^th in all-time record history for assists. These records have meant a lot to me, I’ve worked hard for them,” said Ferreiras.  

Volleyball has always played a large role in Ferreiras’ life. “I started playing volleyball when I was about eight years old and have never lost the love for the game since. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to play it all these years. I am going to be 22 soon, I can’t believe how quickly time flies,” said Ferreiras. 

Ferreiras’ senior year has been one of the most memorable years at Manhattanville and also the most bittersweet one. While her personal collegiate career proved to be striking the teams that she has played for have not been able to be as successful. This season however proved to be different. This was the first season in a long time where the Valiants were close enough to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, their efforts were unable to take them that far. 

“We ended the season with a 3-4 record in conference, which was record breaking as the first time in program history since we have entered the Freedom Conference that we have won more than one game in playoffs. It was definitely bittersweet in the perspective that although we did not get as far as we should have and wanted to, we still made remarkable moves for this school's program,” said Veronica Ferreiras.   

What made matters worse for Ferreiras was the fact that she was unable to help the team try to win their last conference game, the one that would give them a playoff berth. During her senior game, Ferreiras had unknowingly suffered a concussion. She hadn’t found out until two days after the game.

“After a day of practice and speaking to the athletic trainers, I was told that there was absolutely no possibility that I would be able to play in what could have been and was my last competitive school volleyball match ever,” said Ferreiras. “It literally was heartbreaking; to know that what I have worked for my whole life to be ripped out of my hands days before it would take place was one of the most emotionally painful experiences I have ever dealt with.”

 It was certainly not the outcome that she had dreamt about, but Veronica Ferreiras was happy to be able to witness the final game and be there to support her team. Now that her collegiate athletic career is over, Ferreiras has to shift her focus on her what the future holds for her. She will be graduating in May with a psychology major, along with a sociology, and art minor.

“My plans for the future after college still are not concrete. It's honestly really hard to think about the next step after college without being completely taken back or scared. My plan as of now is to go to graduate school into the clinical psychology field. My life goal is to have my own practice and incorporate aspects of music and art therapy into my own practice,” said Ferreiras, while taking a reflecting back at her college career and looking forward to what lays ahead.

Home Sweet Home

Meaningful Home Opener Win for the Valiants

 

The Manhattanville women’s ice hockey team played their home season-opener on Friday against Nichols College. Their highly anticipated return to Playland Ice Casino had been long awaited. The team hoped to win their first game of the season at home, improving on their 0-2 start and so they did. The Valiants ended up going home victorious with a 5-0 score.

Goalkeeper Kirsten Shaughnessy successfully blocked all 13 shots that the opposing team took. On the defense, forward Kyra Herbert helped contribute to the win by scoring two valuable goals giving the Valiants three out of the five points.

“It was the best feeling ever. I haven’t been very productive in my college career so it felt good to finally contribute,” said Herbert in regards to her performance. Herbert had made some adjustments during the offseason that helped her improve her game but she mostly credited the team’s communication skills to her success.

“I lifted and played a lot this summer and fall, but really any success I had in the game or will have in the future will come from working and communication well with my teammates,” said Herbert.

A lot of motivation also has been present due to the importance that the Playland Ice Casino has played in the history of the Manhattanville women’s ice hockey. There have been several winning records from past Manhattanville teams that had been established there. One of the most impressive facts is that the women’s ice hockey teams have managed to keep their losing record at home under 20 games combined in the past ten years.

“Playland is great. The record that past Manhattanville teams have there is a huge motivator to work hard and win games,” said Kyra Herbert. “Past teams have gotten close to winning the national title so that’s a tough goal but if the Manhattanville women’s hockey team makes it that far again anytime soon, it would most likely be this year. A lot of our best players graduate this year; so if we do it, this is the year.”

As the Valiants continue to work toward maintaining their home winning-record alive, their first win has been secured. The team will play their next home game against Salve Regina this upcoming Friday at 7:00 PM

Student Spotlight: Rebecca Breve

Staying Away From What You Love

  

Soon to be an early college graduate Rebecca Breve has had her fair share of complications as a soccer player. She played for the Manhattanville women’s soccer team during her freshman and sophomore year as their forward. This season she is not playing with the team but is part of the college’s soccer club.

Soccer is fundamental is Breve’s life. “Culture wise soccer is the main sport. Everything revolved around soccer, and my family is very much involved,” said Rebecca Breve, who has been playing soccer since she was in elementary school.

One of her greatest feats was playing for the Honduras national women’s soccer team back home. When given the opportunity, Breve gave it her all. The team even managed to be a Pre-World Cup qualifier. This was huge for Honduras.

Unfortunately, Rebecca Breve had suffered an injury last year that put her soccer playing career on the line. She had shin splints and possible stress factors on her legs. “My doctor told me I wouldn’t be able to play for six months. He said, ‘you need to stop if you want to keep playing in the future,’” said Breve.

The injury also affected her playing time at Manhattanville. She decided to take a break from playing soccer and opted not to join this year’s team. “It wasn’t worth beating my legs,” Breve said. “After all, I want to be able to use and have a future using my legs.”

It is hard to stay away from the sport you love. Now Breve plays on the Manhattanville soccer club from time to time. The soccer club plays three times a week. “I play maybe once a week, every other week,” said Breve. “I just can’t stay away.”

Breve’s focus now lies on graduating. She will have finished school in three years, and she plans on becoming a physical therapist. “Growing up I wanted to be a professional soccer player, I mean who doesn’t, but now I have to be more realistic,” said Breve. “After my injury I had to make a few changes and adjustments for my future.”

Untold Story

Mville Soccer Game Turns Sour

Last Sunday, the Manhattanville women’s soccer team played a freedom conference away-game against FDU (Fairleigh Dickinson University). The result ended in a 3-2 loss against the FDU Devils. They were able to stay in the game for the majority of its duration.

The Valiants had been tied with the Devils 2-2 heading into the second half. Christie Demarco scored the Valiants first goal and her eighth of the season during the 28^th minute. The second goal came from Tori Lettieri a minute after the Devils had taken a 2-1 lead, making it a tied game.

Their downfall came at the 69^th minute mark when the FDU Devils scored taking advantage of a 3-2 lead to shut down the Valiants. After the goal, the Valiants could not come back and remained fairly quite throughout the final minutes.

While the Manhattanville women’s soccer team had lost the game, they still managed to play under various pressures. For one the FDU’s hospitality was not there and the Valiants found themselves playing through a lot of scrutiny.  

 “It wasn’t the best experience I’ve had playing on the field. There was a group of FDU students yelling at us telling us that we had Ebola because we came from New York,” said one of the players who wish to remained unnamed.

The group of students that were bashing the team appeared to be heavily under the influence and singled out players by their name. They read the names that were on the program and yelled them out and verbally insulted each one of them.

“One of our players is Ethiopian and she was being accused of having Ebola, which was absolutely absurd. I don’t think that joking about the matter was appropriate at all. It shows the lack of common sense that some people have,” said Christie Freer.

The verbal insults continued for the majority of the game up until the 60^th minute when the refs decided to kick the group of FDU students out for their disruption. Surely this had an impact on the players on the field.

“I still can’t believe that they waited that long to kick them off,” said Freer.

Nevertheless, the team composed themselves throughout the game. It was a close game where unfortunately the Valiants did not have an advantage.

The women’s soccer team will look to play their final non-conference away-game against the Warriors of Eastern Connecticut State on Wednesday at 6:00PM.

Striving for Improvement

Brotherhood in Dammann 32

The Manhattanville men’s lacrosse team is undefeated during this year’s preseason games. Last season they did not have the same luck during the regular season and only managed to win one game (1-15 overall). Much of their success this time around has to do with the team’s chemistry.

(Taken from GoValiants.com)

After the 2014 season their head coach Kevin Warnock resigned. This left a void that had left the team feeling uneasy until they were able to find a new head coach. The job was given to Ryder Bohlander and the assistant coach job went to Owen Blye, who both played for Division I Maryland University.

The two share a great friendship on and off the field and a brotherhood that has translated well for the rest of the team. The team players also know a thing or two about what it means to have a strong brotherhood.

Sophomore William Pfeiffer’s decision to come to Manhattanville was based on the fact that it offered a family environment among the players.  “I fell in love with the people more than I did with the school,” said Pfeiffer. Even while he experienced a tough first season with the Valiants, the friendships that he built off the field helped him tremendously.

Sophomore William Pfeiffer

“I don’t know where I would be without those guys. How would I have been able to finish all of my work?” said Pfeiffer. “They’re the ones who motivate me. We do our homework at the same time in the same room, so at least it feels like we’re all struggling together. You’re able to share a type of oneness.”

Much of their activities take place in Dammann Hall in Suite 32 where the team find a place to unwind after dealing with academics. Essentially this place is their safe haven while they’re on campus.

Pfeiffer sees the friendship that the team’s coaches share as an inspiration. “Through them you’re able to see that after you’re done playing you still have connections – connections that you’re able to go beyond simply being teammates.”

The chemistry that this team shares allows them continue to strive for excellence. Aside from being undefeated during their preseason, their goal is to win conference and go to tournament. From the looks of it, the 2015 season will be one worth following.