Box Score

CANTON, NY (October 10, 2008) -- The Vassar field hockey team was shutout, 2-0, by St. Lawrence in Liberty League action this afternoon. The Brewers fell behind 2-0 at halftime, and despite a strong effort in the second half, which included, several scoring opportunities, the Saints were able to record the shutout.

The loss leaves Vassar at 3-11, 0-4. St. Lawrence improves to 6-4, 3-1, good enough to create a three-way tie atop the Liberty League standings with Rensselaer and Skidmore.

The Saints controlled the possession early in the game, as the Brewers struggled to clear their end of the turf. After St. Lawrence earned a penalty corner, Jennifer Stetson fired a shot towards Vassar goalie Taylor Herman (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central). Though the initial shot was blocked, Emily Riley was there to pick up the rebound and punch it into the cage for a 1-0 lead at 12:17 of the first half.

St. Lawrence continued to pour on the offensive pressure, and earned a stroke when Herman was called for a foul in the crease. Stetson was awarded the free shot, and lifted the ball past Herman stick-side for a 2-0 advantage. The Bristol, VT, native's goal came at 17:30.

In the later stages of the first half, both teams had great scoring chances narrowly miss. Vassar had an opportunity to cut their deficit in half, but junior Rachel Lowenthal (Bethesda, MD/Walter Johnson) penalty corner shot deflected wide of St. Lawrence goalie Emilie Lannamann and out of bounds.

Moments later, St. Lawrence sophomore Kelsey Joyce fired a one-timer that just missed the near post and sailed wide.

Trailing by two scores, the Vassar stepped up its attack in the second half and put more pressure on the Saints' defensive unit and Lannamann. Vassar earned seven penalty corners in the half compared to one in the opening frame and managed eight more shots in the second as well.

With St. Lawrence needing the victory to claim a share of first place in the conference standings, Lannamann came up big in the final minutes to earn the shutout.

Vassar had three penalty corners in the final ten minutes, but the Durham, NH, native came up with clutch saves against Rebecca Backer (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) and Jessica Lance (Enfield, CT/Enfield) to seal the victory for St. Lawrence. Lance had four shots for Vassar.

Both teams finished with eight corners each, while St. Lawrence out-shot Vassar, 35-12.

Rachel Horwitz (Beverly Hills, CA/Harvard Westlake) replaced Herman in goal for the Brewers in the second half and finished with six saves which matched Herman's efforts. Lannamann closed with three saves.