Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 10, 2008) -- In its first two games, the Vassar College women's soccer team has proved it can win close games. After a season opening overtime win against Elms College on Saturday, the Brewers pulled off another victory in extra minutes as they defeated cross-town rival SUNY-New Paltz, 1-0, on Wednesday at Prentiss Field. Sophomore Caroline Demougeot (Potomac, MD/French International) played the role of heroine, netting the game-winning goal 5:51 into the first overtime period.

With the win, the Brewers improve to 2-0 and next travel to Stevens Institute for a 7:00 p.m. game on Saturday. The Hawks drop to 2-3 and kick off their SUNYAC conference play at Cortland on Saturday, September 20.

In the overtime period, Demougeot picked up her second goal of the year and the second game-winning score of her career. Sophomore Allison McManis (Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd) passed the ball off to Demougeot, who collected the ball from the right hand side of the field and lofted it towards the goal. The well-angled shot caught Hawks goalie Sarah Boccard (Washingtonville, NY/Washingtonville) by surprise, and it travelled past her into the opposite corner of the net. For Demougeot, it is an auspicious start to her sophomore season, as she has had played a part in all three of Vassar's scores, with two goals and an assist.

After winning last year's matchup in the final three seconds, the Hawks nearly had a chance for a repeat performance. With time running down, a direct kick from midfield set up Emily Buckner (Pine Bush, NY/Pine Bush) for a close shot on goal that slipped past Brewer keeper Anne Hutchinson (St. Pete Beach, FL/Tampa Preparatory). However, the shot lacked power giving Hutchinson time to track it down as the buzzer sounded.

In an evenly played game, neither team managed to maintain possession in their opponent's box for a long period of time, leading to back-and-forth play. Both teams managed to get some quality shots on goal, but Boccard (six saves) and Hutchinson (10 saves) proved sturdy in the goal. New Paltz held a 14-10 edge on shots.

With 20:53 to play in the second half, Sarah Strange (Houston, TX/Second Baptist School) nearly got the Brewers on board. The sophomore midfielder maneuvered around her defender and managed to get a sliding shot off just before the goal line, but it sailed just wide of the empty net in the opposite corner. One of Vassar's closest calls came later in the half, with 2:46 remaining in regulation, as senior Emma Kemp (Albany, CA/Albany) unleashed a beautiful left-footed shot from just beyond the 18-yard line, but it skimmed over the crossbar.

In the first half, New Paltz came within inches of scoring, as Tanja Todoric (Spring Valley, NY/Spring Valley) laced a shot past Hutchinson only to see it carom off the far-side post.