POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (August 24, 2010) – After narrowly missing the Liberty League playoffs by a tiebreaker in 2008 and one game last season, the Vassar College women's soccer team is poised to make the post-season for the first time in program history. Fresh off a nine-day campaign of practices, scrimmages, and sight-seeing through Germany, the Brewers returned to campus to gear up for the start of the 2010 season, a home match versus SUNY New Paltz on September 1, at 5:00 p.m.

A Program On The Rise

In 2009, the Brewers posted a 9-7 record, finishing the season in fifth place of the Liberty League with a 3-4 league record, just one game shy of Union and a playoff berth. Vassar has shown they can hold their own in the demanding Liberty League, posting a combined 6-7-1 league record the past two seasons which amounts to more league wins than any three previous seasons combined. Indicative of their upswing in one of the top three conferences in the country, Vassar defeated third place finisher Hamilton, 2-1, on September 26, their first win over the Continentals in 12 years. They closed out the season with a four game win streak, including a program first 2-0 Liberty League weekend that featured shutouts of St. Lawrence (3-0) and Clarkson (2-0). Fifth year head coach Richard Moller hopes last year's strong finish will carry over into the upcoming season, “in building consistency and avoiding the let down in the three or four weeks around October Break.”

 Following three consecutive winning seasons, Moller is the only coach in program history to exceed a .500 record with more than one full season coaching. Moller has just completed his first recruiting cycle so his original recruiting class now constitutes the veteran core of seniors, making this the first team selected and developed from top to bottom by Moller.

The Brewers have 10 potential incoming freshmen to add to an experienced team that lost only three seniors in captain Laura Smith, fourth-best scorer Anna Robinson, and defender Caitlin Bowman. Seven highly touted early decision recruits from five different states and Holland will compete to make an early impact on a veteran team that returns nine starters. A roster composed of six seniors, four juniors, and five sophomores provides a balance of experience and depth.

Every Player Is a Key Player

Moller employs an offense based on off the ball movement and stretching the field, which he likens to total football. His system involves attacking in numbers and Moller estimates that he has between five and seven scoring threats. Overall, Moller states that, “This is a balanced team athletically and technically, with a very athletic midfield and good height on set pieces.”

While Moller stated that, “Every player is versatile and turns into a key player when we play team soccer,” Vassar has several standouts. The Brewers are led by senior captains Carolyn Demougeot, an All-Liberty League Second-Team Selection and last season's team leader in points with 21 (9 goals, 3 assists), Allison McManis, an All-Liberty League Second-Team Selection and second in points with 16 (7 goals, 2 assists), and Rachel Shea, also tallying 16 points (6 goals, 4 assists). Demougeot and McManis work in the midfield while Shea will finish plays from the center forward position. Sophomore Keiko Kurita and junior Tessa Verbanic complete the returning midfield unit. Known for her passing skills, Kurita made an immediate contribution last season as a freshman because according to Moller, “She is poised with the ball and does not play like a freshman.”

In a new position, junior Alex Grant will direct the defense from the center back slot and has “adapted nicely to the center defensive position,” said Moller. “She is commanding the defense efficiently.”

Moller expects incoming freshman Gavriella Kaplan and Sheeva Seyfi to emerge as scoring threats. Kaplan was a New Jersey All-State selection junior and senior year and the leading scorer for Robinsville High School, the State Champion in 2008 and 2009. Seyfi, a four year starter at Laguna Hills High School, was recruited on all levels and won back to back State Championships in 2007 and 2008 with the So Cal Blues, a Top 5 nationally ranked club program.

On the Western Front

This Summer, Moller took his returning players to his native Germany where on top of partaking in the local cuisine and day-tripping to historic sites like Dachau and Strasbourg, France; the upperclassman showed fine form in scrimmages. They tied and then beat an under-16 boys team in penalty kicks and defeated a semi-pro Landes Liga (fourth league) women's team. The trip fostered team cohesion and according to Moller, “provided a great opportunity for the upperclassman leadership to come together and develop a competitive team chemistry,” crucial for playing at a consistently high level throughout the entire season.

Schedule

The Brewers begin their season on September 1 with a home opener against a tenacious SUNY New Paltz squad who defeated Vassar 1-0 last year. Seven non-conference games will help the Brewers find their style before their first Liberty League weekend, on the road at St. Lawrence on September 24 and at Clarkson on September 25. Vassar will play three Liberty League contests at home, facing Rensselaer on October 2 and wrapping up the regular season with Skidmore on October 23 and Union on October 24.

Moller changed this year's schedule to include the Manhattanville Tournament on September 11-12 so his players, “can experience tournament play and get a feeling for the idea of single elimination,” so ideally when postseason tournament time rolls around, this team will be ready.