SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—Manhattanville College (6-2) defeated the No. 12/14 SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (6-2) 4-2 in the first round of the Skidmore Invitational on Saturday afternoon. Senior forward Jake Rivera (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) and sophomore forward Dylan Vander Esch (San Jose, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) each scored for the Bears. Freshman goaltender Nate Skidmore (Syracuse, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres) made 24 saves in in his collegiate debut.
 
The Valiants struck twice in the first period. At the 7:32 mark, Charlie Ryde put Manhattanville out in front for good with an even-strength marker. The teams traded penalties throughout the rest of the period. Potsdam was whistled for holding with 38 seconds remaining and the Valiants made them pay. With just eight ticks left, Matt Coleman doubled the advantage, which Manhattanville took into the locker room.
 
After killing off a five-minute major early in the second, Rivera scored to cut the gap to 2-1 at 12:21. Junior forward Alex Goodhue (Traverse City, Mich./Atlanta Jr. Knights) assisted on the play. Nearly four minutes later, the Valiants regained the two-goal edge as Matt Lippa lit the lamp with the eventual game-winner.
 
The Bears dominated the third period, outshooting Manhattanville 13-4, but were not rewarded for their effort. Jeff Beck scored an unassisted goal at 10:50 to give the Valiants all the insurance they'd need. After going on the man-advantage one final time at 13:54, Potsdam Head Coach Chris Bernard called timeout to rally his troops. The instructions paid off as Vander Esch beat Manhattanville goalie Tyler Feaver eight seconds later to make it a 4-2 contest. Senior forward Billy Pascalli (Deer Park, N.Y./New York Bobcats) and junior defenseman Jake Butler (Atlanta, Ga./Smith Falls Bears) recorded the assists. Despite good pressure, the Bears weren't able to get any closer.
 
Feaver finished with 25 stops on the night. The Valiants finished with a 28-27 edge in shots and went 1-for-3 on the power play. Potsdam was 1-for-5. Manhattanville will now face SUNY Cortland in the championship matchup.
 
The Bears look to bounce back against the host Skidmore Thoroughbreds (2-6) tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. in the tourney's consolation contest.