Box Score

NEWBURGH, NY (September 10, 2008) – For the second consecutive season, the Vassar College men's soccer team emerged victorious from a hard-fought and well-contested game with Mt. St. Mary College as the Brewers walked away with a 1-0 season-opening win.

The only goal of the game came in the 34th minute. After a failed clearing attempt by Mount Saint Mary, the ball was played back into the box where a scramble ensued. Vassar senior Jon Hootnick (Marblehead, Mass.) won the ball from a Mount defender and fired it past the diving goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead.

Hootnick played a strong all-around game for the Brewers, heading the attack for much of the contest. He led Vassar with four shots on goal. The Brewers also received a strong effort from junior Alex Freund (Chicago, Ill.) and junior Brian Bianchetti (Tustin, Calif.).

The Blue Knights had two very good scoring chances towards the end of the second half. In the 75th minute, Mount Saint Mary junior John Como (Wingdale, N.Y.) actually put the ball in the net off a set piece, but the play was called back as Como was just offside. Then, in the 90th minute, Mount senior Jon Giordano (Newburgh, N.Y.) headed a high arcing shot to the back post that was over the keeper's head and on its way into the net before a Vassar defender headed it away.

Mount Saint Mary senior Andy Espinoza (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) also had a nice opportunity immediately following the Vassar goal in the first half. Streaking down the right side, the senior laced a shot that was labeled for the top right corner of the net. Vassar senior goalkeeper Jason Cetel (Cherry Hill, N.J.) made an excellent save, tipping the ball over the top of the cage.

Cetel finished with five saves and picked up the win for the Brewers. Mount Saint Mary junior Paul Aries (Nashua, N.H.) continued to play well in net for the Blue Knights, making 12 saves on the day.

Mount Saint Mary (1-2) will host an invitational tournament this weekend. The Blue Knights will take on York College on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. and then the Culinary Institute of America on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Vassar (1-0) plays their home opener on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against Alfred University.