EDWARDSVILLE – Visiting Manhattanville College broke open a four-point game scoring four goals in the final quarter on way to a 12-5 victory over host Wilkes University Saturday afternoon in MAC Freedom play at Schmidt Stadium.
 
Wilkes falls to 0-11 overall and 0-3 in league play following the loss. Manhattanville improves to 4-8 overall and picks up its first conference win standing 1-2 on the year.
 
Manhattanville scored the only two goals in the first quarter as both teams saw equal action in its offensive end. After the visiting Valiants scored two more to start the second frame, John Wink (Glenside, Pa./Abington) netted Wilkes' first tally off a pass from JT Weitzel (Hampstead, Md./North Carroll) with 11:25 on the clock. Matthew Bush (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Jefferson Twp.) cut the lead in half at 4-2 just four minutes later scoring his 15^th goal of the year. Manhattanville added two more goals to close the half and push its lead to 6-2 at the break.
 
After a Manhattanville goal to start the third quarter, Wilkes went back-to-back to bring the Colonels to within three at 7-4. Nicholas Ruggerio began the rally with an unassisted goal at 5:12 before Max Brown (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach) found the back of the net off a helper from Wink at 4:55. The Valiants scored their eighth goal of the game with just over two minutes on the third quarter clock to take an 8-4 advantage to the final stanza.
 
Bush scored Wilkes' lone goal in the fourth quarter before three Manhattanville netted four more tallies in the final frame to seal the 12-5 road conference victory.
 
Manhattanville held a 38-27 shot advantage while converting on 20-of-24 clearing attempts. Wilkes was much more efficient in the midfield going 20-of-22 in clears.
 
Bush led Wilkes with two goals and a team-high seven ground balls. Brian Manning (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach) made 16 saves in net for Wilkes while Zach Hoffman finished with 15 saves in goal for the Valiants recording the win.
 
Wilkes returns to MAC Freedom play Wednesday when the Colonels travel to nearby Dallas, Pa. for a 7:00 p.m. matchup at Misericordia University.