Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 20, 2009) – With 6:22 left in the second overtime, senior Brian Bianchetti tucked the game-winning penalty kick into the bottom right corner of the net and completed a dramatic second-half comeback to propel the Vassar College men's soccer team over visiting Drew University, 2-1, on Sunday at Gordon Field. After Drew went up 1-0 early in the second half, Bianchetti's two second-half goals left Vassar victorious in a back-and-forth, physical, 104-minute game.

Vassar improves to 5-2 and will look to carry its momentum into Liberty League play next weekend. The Brewers open their league schedule at Hobart College on Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. following with Hamilton College on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Seven of Vassar's last nine games will be against Liberty League opponents. The Rangers fall to 1-2-4 and have now played in five overtime games. The Brewers doubled Drew's goals allowed total, as the Rangers came into the game having allowed just one goal all season. Drew returns to action at Elizabethtown College on Wednesday.

In a game full of momentum switches, Vassar goalkeeper Jake London submitted a gutsy first-overtime effort and helped fend off six Drew shots. Vassar then seized the momentum and denied the Rangers any offensive chances in the second overtime. The Brewers would need just one opportunity, and it came on a free kick from half field sent just in front of the goal. Freshman Zander Mrlik tracked the ball, but was pulled to the ground as it approached, creating the penalty kick for Bianchetti. Drew goalkeeper Jeff Rogers had eight saves on the day, but Bianchetti's strike spun into the net untouched to end the game.

In the first half, Vassar controlled the ball proficiently and created several offensive opportunities, but could not manage that elusive first goal despite out-shooting Drew 11-4. Sophomore Eli London threatened with two straight shots on goal himself, but each was saved by Rogers. Vassar appeared ready for a second-half explosion despite heading into halftime tied 0-0.

The prospect of that strong second half start was quickly stifled when Drew freshman Sam Nepveux won an Anthony Pisani corner kick outside the eighteen yard box and blistered a shot past a diving Jake London into the right side of the net.

Drew appeared to pick up the pace for the next 25 minutes, controlling the ball, creating offensive opportunities, and putting shots on goal.

In the 76th minute, however, Bianchetti put Vassar on the board and tied the game with a short header off a throw-in by Mrlik that re-energized the home team. The penalty kick to seal the game in double-overtime was his team-leading sixth goal of the season, and the first that did not come off a header.

Drew continued to push offensively at the end of regulation, but Vassar's defense held strong and Jake London came out aggressively on several occasions to grab or punch balls out of the air and eliminate Rangers scoring chances. London matched Rogers with eight saves, and played the whole game despite several fierce collisions.

Vassar put forth 20 shots, led by Chris Nieminski's five and Eli London's three on goal. Drew had 22 shots – 18 in the second half and first overtime – and had 13 different players make a try at goal. The two teams combined for 32 fouls and six yellow cards in a high-intensity matchup that will help prepare the Brewers for the physicality and pressure of their upcoming Liberty League games.