Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 13, 2008) – In its first game on newly refurbished Prentiss Field, the Vassar men's soccer team proved a worthy defender of its home turf, convincingly defeating visiting Alfred University, 8-0, on Saturday. Led by three goals and two assists from junior Alex Freund (Chicago, IL/Francis W. Parker), the Brewers unleashed a potent offense and displayed crisp passing and excellent spacing.

The Brewers improve to 2-0 and host Stevens Institute of Technology on Wednesday at 4:00. At 0-6, the Saxons are still searching for their first victory.

Freund went on a tear in the second half, scoring all three of his goals in an eleven minute span. He netted his first goal just over five minutes into the half. The speedy midfielder beat a Saxon defender in a footrace to a long ball from the midfield, giving Saxon keeper Christopher Desouza (Monmouth Junction, NJ/S. Brunswick) no chance, as Freund tapped the ball into the back of the goal.

Freund's next goal came in the 51st minute. Sophomore teammate Jake Weiss (Hartsdale, NY/Ardsley) fired a point blank shot at keeper Elliot Thorpe (Highlands Ranch, CO/Thunder Ridge) but Thorpe made an excellent block. Unfortunately for Thorpe, Freund was there to clean up the rebound, sending the ball into the empty net.

Freund completed the hat trick in stylish manner less than three minutes later, as he deftly maneuvered around three Saxon defenders in the box before unleashing a shot into the opposite corner.

Senior Matt Pavlich (Ashland, OR/Ashland) capped off Vassar's scoring, converting a penalty kick in the 75th minute.

Vassar wasted no time in the first half, scoring four goals and outshooting the Saxons 14-4.

The Brewers got on board in the 16th minute, as Freund sent a perfect cross into the box. Two Brewers stood unmarked in front of the goal, making the situation particularly difficult for Desouza; Vassar junior Brian Bianchetti (Tustin, CA/Foothill) easily tucked the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Less than ten minutes later, the Brewers struck again. A Freund corner kick created a scramble in front of the net and senior Jon Hootnick (Marblehead, MA/Marblehead) emerged with Vassar's second goal of the game. Hootnick has proven himself a danger in messy situations, as his first goal of the season also came during a commotion in front of the net. It was Hootnick's second goal of the season.

Vassar's third goal came off the foot of sophomore Ben Scaglione (Elizabethtown, NY/Elizabethtown Lewis). After Desouza turned away a point blank shot from Freund, Freund collected the rebound and passed it off to Scaglione. With Desouza still recovering from Freund's initial offering, Scaglione directed the ball into the empty net for his first goal of the season.

The Brewers notched their last goal of the half with 12:46 to play until halftime. Senior Matt Belli (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington) unleashed a beautiful shot from about 20 yards out but it caromed off the crossbar into the box. However, in the ensuing melee Weiss managed to tap the ball into the net for his first goal of the season.

The Saxons nearly scored with 6:25 to play in the half, but Brewer keeper Jake London (Albany, NY/Albany) turned away consecutive point blank shots by Eric Lavelle (Eden, NY/Eden) and Seth Gordon (Albuquerque, NM/Sandia) to keep Alfred off the board.

London had four saves in goal. Senior Jimmy McCumber (Holliston, MA/Holliston) also saw time in the net for the Brewers, recording one save. Starting goalie Desouza took the loss for the Saxons with three saves and five goals allowed. Thorpe had two saves on the day, allowing three goals.

The Brewers outshot the Saxons, 25-11, and held a 9-0 edge in corner kicks. Freund led Vassar's prolific offensive attack with six shots, five on goal. Also giving the Alfred defense trouble were Hootnick (four shots), Weiss (three shots, all on goal) and Bianchetti (three shots). Gordon led the Saxon offense with six shots, three on goal.