In a re-match of the 2009 Freedom Conference championship game, the Misericordia University men's soccer team put in 90 good minutes but was undone by unlucky circumstances as the Cougars fell 2-0 to Manhattanville, Saturday at GoValiants.com Field.

The Valiants took the lead in the 80th minute on an own goal. Manhattanville broke down the right side and crossed into the middle where the ball was inadvertently directed into the MU goal by a Cougar defender.

MU goalkeeper Mason Astaneh (nine stops) made an outstanding breakway save with under five minutes to play, kicking away the chance after the Misericordia defense had a let a ball skip through them.

As the Cougars pushed everyone forward, Manhattanville was left to grab the clinching goal. Astaneh made another great save on a breakaway but the rebound was finished off the post by a trailing Valiant with two minutes to play.

Astaneh made yet another highlight-reel stop in the final minute, fully extending to push away a shot from the left side.

Manhattanville had a few dangerous chances midway through the second half. In the 53rd minute, a Valiant player got free down the left side and slipped the ball pass Astaneh. Fortunately for MU, Bryan Kulbacki was there to clear the ball from danger.

With 33 minutes remaining, the Valiants had the chance of the game up to that point. Off a corner kick, Astaneh made a good save on an open header to the low post. The ensuing corner was also won by Manhattanville but headed well over the goal.

A tense first half ended without a single shot on net. The Valiants were the first to have a look at goal, shooting high from close range and then looping a shot wide left, both in the first 10 minutes of action.

MU's Andy Bush almost snuck through in the 10th minute after a nifty give-and-go with Dan Pinto but was forced too wide to get a shot off.

Midway through the half, a free kick fell to Matt Scott in the box, but his low shot went just past the left post. Then Jay-P Evans put a diving header inches over the left corner of the goal frame.

Misericordia had a dangerous free kick from 19 yards out in the closing minutes of the half. Pinto attempted to find Kulbacki with a low cross but couldn't connect.

The Cougars fall to 7-6, 0-2 and will host King's on Tuesday in a must-win Freedom Conference showdown.