PURCHASE, N.Y. The Valiants dug out of an eight-goal halftime deficit behind four Cory Alcorn (Orangeville, Ontario) second half goals, but FDU-Florham's big first half proved too much to overcome as the Devils handed Manhattanville a 17-13 loss Wednesday night at GoValiants.com Field.

The Devils improved to 8-1 with the win and are the winningest team in the conference this year, a mark that included seven straight wins by an average of nearly eight goals entering Wednesday. FDU-Florham looked every bit the powerhouse in the first half surging ahead 11-3 and entering the break with a 13-5 lead but the Valiants were the better side in the second thirty minutes, cutting the lead to five just seven minutes into the half and out-scoring the visitors 8-4 after halftime.

Alcorn was the main reason for the comeback and matched a season-high with six goals in the game, igniting the second half charge with back-to-back goals early in the period. The senior also continued her move up Manhattanvilles all-time goal scoring list, passing Ann Spataro (1997-2000) for third place, finishing Wednesday with 144 goals in her career. Alcorn has struck 31 times in 2008, leading the Valiants in goals and points (35) in her senior season.

Junior Abbe Grimes (Hamden, Conn.) followed up her career-best seven goal game Monday with four more goals Wednesday, scoring twice in the first half and helping the Valiants shrink the deficit with two late second half goals. Grimes scored her final goal with 31 seconds left, taking an end-to-end pass from goalie Kirstin Betsill (Parkton, Md.) who picked up her first career assist on the play.

Betsill was also excellent in cage, especially in the second half. The freshman made 13 saves nine in the second half and dealt with an FDU-Florham offense that fired 32 shots in the game. Betsills 13 save effort was her fourth of the year with at least 12 saves and three shy of her career high.

Jen Ascencio (Monroe, N.Y.), Katie Bertel (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Emelda Ogweta (Portland, Maine) scored the remaining three Valiant goals, with Ascencio, Ogweta and Mgan Barrett (Colorado Springs, Colo.) joining Betsill with single assists.

The Valiants not only out-scored but also out-shot (14-13) the Devils in the second half. Manhattanville also finished ahead in the game in ground balls (23-22) and even in draw controls at 16.

FDU-Florham (8-1, 2-0 MAC) had nine different players score goals, including five with at least two in the game. Amanda Wayne led the way with four goals and one assist, while Lindsey Specht and Linda Bohn each added two goals and two assists.

Manhattanville (4-5, 0-2 MAC) returns to league play Saturday when they take on Widener on the road at 2:00 p.m. The Valiants return home April 10 at 6:00 p.m. to take on Kings (Pa.).

2008-04-02