RYE, N.Y. – A power-play goal by Kristen Embrey (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) proved to be the deciding marker as the sixth-seeded Beacons defeated the third-seeded Valiants of Manhattanville College by the final of 3-2 in the first round of the 2015 ECAC East Tournament Saturday evening at the Playland Ice Casino.

The victory moves the Beacons into next week's semi-final round, where they will face top-seeded Norwich University at Norwich next Saturday.  With the win the Beacons improved to 10-12-4, and for the first time in program history will be heading to their third-straight conference tournament semi-final appearance.

Embrey's game-winner came at the 1:18 mark of the third period on the power-play.  Alexa Cappione (Massena, N.Y.) assisted on the huge goal.  Between the pipes senior Moe Bradley (Swampscott, Mass.) had her best game by far this season as she registered 37 saves to earn her second straight postseason victory in a Beacons uniform.

The Valiants got on the board less than two minutes into the contest, with Sydney Asselstine scoring on the power-play.  UMass Boston would respond with two straight goals with transfer Lizzie Aveson (West Covina, Calif.) scoring the tying goal at the 10:22 mark.  Freshman Alli Bianchini (Sterling Heights, Mich.) would then give UMass their first lead of the night at 17:51, after firing home a pass from Kayla Smith (Woburn, Mass.).  Kat Armstrong (Boulder, Colo.) was also credited with an assist.

Neither team would score in the second period, but the Beacons would begin to find their rhythm as they outshot the host Valiants 10-8.  Through two Manhattanville held just a one-shot advantage (18-17). 

Moving into the third period, the Beacons caught a bad break as the Valiants tied the game at 2-2 on a shorthanded goal just 38 seconds into the final period.  However the Beacons would complete the power-play opportunity with Embrey's huge game-winner just 50 seconds later. 

Bradley anchored the Beacons defense throughout the third, and kept the Valiants off the board in the final minute as they went to the extra forward. 

Senior Alyssa Sullivan (Medford, Mass.) not only assisted UMass' first goal, but she was solid all night, winning a game-high 11 face-offs.  The Beacons were 1-for-2 on the power-play, while the Valiants managed just the one goal on five man-up attempts. 

Manhattanville ended the contest with a 39-29 advantage in shots, and closed out the 2014-15 campaign with a 10-11-5 record.

The Beacons will now travel to Northfield, Vermont to face the Cadets in a rematch of last year's semi-final game.  The Beacons nearly pulled off the upset of the year, but it was the Cadets who earned the victory in OT (2-1). 

A start time for next Saturday's semi-final game will be announced early next week.