Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 26, 2008) – Playing on a slick turf field, in which ball control and consistent passing proved difficult, one goal was all the Union College women's soccer team needed in a 1-0 over Vassar College in the Liberty League opener for both teams at Weinberg Field on Friday evening.

The loss drops Vassar to 4-3-0, 0-1-0. The Brewers host Skidmore tomorrow on Weinberg Field at 5:00 p.m., changes made due to today's rainstorms. Union improves to 6-1-1, 1-0-0, and travels to RPI tomorrow.

Freshman forward Jessica Strang (Rotterdam, NY/Schalmont) netted the game winner, her fourth goal of the season, in the 33rd minute. Senior Chelsea Hargis (East Lyme, CT/Daniel Hand) picked up the assist, sending a ball into the box that was batted around, the slick conditions making it difficult for Vassar to clear. In the crowd, Strang managed to poke a shot past Brewer keeper Anne Hutchinson (St. Pete Beach, FL/Tampa Preparatory).

The Brewers nearly got on board earlier in the half, as freshman Jordan Crook (Federal Way, WA/Todd Beamer) threaded a pass to Carolyn Demougeot (Potomac, MD/French International). Demougeot managed to beat the last line of Dutchwomen defense, but Union goalie Abby Stohler (West Hartford, CT/Concard) came charging out to make the tough save.

Stohler had seven saves in the win, while Hutchinson made five saves. The Brewers outshot the Dutchwomen, 12-11, led by four shots from sophomore Allison McManis (Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd) and three from senior Nola Solomon (Washington, DC/Georgetown Day). Union, however, held the edge in corner kicks, 6-3. Strang and Caitlin O'Donnell (Hampden, MA/Wilbraham & Monson Acad.) had three shots apiece for the Dutchwomen.

Vassar nearly knotted up the game multiple times in the second half, as the Brewers outshot Union 8-5 in the last period. With 16 minutes to play, McManis sent a precisely placed direct kick over Stohler's head towards the opposite corner of the net. If any Brewer had managed to get a body part on the ball, it would have been net-bound, but it shot through the box out of bounds. With time winding down, Solomon nearly sent the game into overtime, as she used some fancy footwork to clear space in the box and unleash a shot. Unfortunately for the Brewers, it went right into the arms of Stohler.