Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 5, 2007) -- The Vassar College men's soccer team netted two goals in the first half en route to a season-opening 2-1 victory over Manhattanville College at Prentiss Field on Wednesday.

The Brewers stand at 1-0 and travel to Alfred University on Saturday. The Valiants drop to 1-1 and will play in the Mayor's Cup in Oneonta, New Jersey this weekend.

The Brewers netted their first goal in the 29th minute. Sophomore midfielder Brian Bianchetti (Tustin, CA/Foothill) ignited the play, serving a ball into the box. Junior Matthew Belli (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington) redirected the ball towards the goal and sophomore Daniel Griffith (Camp Lejeune, NC/Camp Lejeune) poked the ball into the back of the net for the Brewer's first goal of the season.

With seven seconds left to play in the half, the Brewers padded their lead with what proved to be the game-winning goal. Bianchetti headed an Alex Freund (Chicago, IL/Francis Parker) corner kick towards the goal and senior captain Ben Fox (Dublin, NH/ConVal) out-jumped a crowd in front of the net to knock in the goal.

While the Brewers controlled the offense in the first half, out-shooting the Valiants 8-5, it was Manhattanville that made a strong offensive push in the second half, holding an 11-5 edge on shots in the final 45 minutes.

In the 61st minute, the Valiants nearly got on the board when freshman Kris Morrice (Kirriemuir, Scotland/Webster's) fired a rocket on goal. However, junior goalkeeper Jason Cetel (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) made an acrobatic stop to save the goal.

Manhattanville netted its first goal in the 63rd minute, as freshman Kenneil Haye (Queens, NY/John Adams) scored off an assist from fellow freshman Shaune Allan (Edinburgh, Scotland/Lochgelly). Haye sent a cross to Allan on a breakaway, and Allan managed to poke it past Cetel.

The Valiants had a few more close looks in the remainder of the game, but stops by Cetel and the rest of the Vassar defense kept the win intact.

Bianchetti and Fox had three shots apiece for the Brewers. Haye had four shots for the Valiants, while Morrice contributed three.

Cetel (1-0) had three saves in the game for the Brewers. Junior Jerry Tellier (West Warwick, RI/Bishop Hendricken) and freshman Jason Torres (Harrison, NY/Harrison) split time in net and recorded three saves.