Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 25, 2010) – The Vassar College men's soccer team came up short in their second straight Liberty League contest, dropping a close 1-0 game to the Clarkson University Saturday afternoon at Gordon Field.

The Brewers drop to 5-4, 0-2, on the season and resume play at non-league Scranton on Wednesday, September 29 at 7:00 p.m. The Golden Knights improve to 5-2-1, 1-1, and will face SUNY IT in a non-league contest on September 29 at 4:00 p.m.

Clarkson broke a defensive deadlock in the 53rd minute when freshman Kurt Knolle collected a cross and ripped a low shot which Grimme denied. The rebound rolled right to junior David Maiorino, who drilled the loose ball into the top right corner for the game's lone goal.

As the half ticked away, Vassar started playing with more desperation and a renewed vigor, finding some holes in Clarkson's otherwise solid defense for several good scoring opportunities. Freshman Zach Sanders ripped a shot from the top corner, only for  sophomore goalie Scott Stuart to make a sprawling save, deflecting the ball high and out of bounds to set up a Vassar corner, which Clarkson defended.

Stuart was tested again when sophomore Eric Giesse headed a cross from the low post on goal, but the sophomore made another diving save.

Vassar's final chance to even the match came on a strong counter-attack break out near the end of the game, when senior Ben Scaglione stole the ball deep in his own end and raced down the sideline, passing it ahead to Geisse, who fired a clear shot from the top of the box, which Stuart managed to save. Neither team had any other real chances the rest of the way, and Clarkson held on for the win despite Vassar's strong closing surge.

The first half had proved to be a suffocating defensive struggle, with Clarkson's strong positioning completely controlling their box and severely limiting the Brewers' scoring opportunities. Vassar's only chances in the half came off of set plays from out of bounds. Early in the game, sophomore defender Zander Mrlik pitched a long throw in to the opposite side low post to sophomore Noah Michelon, who headed it down only for the swarming Golden Knights' defense to knock it away before it could challenge Stuart. The deflection rebounded straight to junior Eli London, but the Clarkson defense stifled the second chance effort as well.

Later, with the half winding down, freshman Adam McCabe lifted a long corner kick just inches over the head of a leaping Mrlik, who had gained separation from his defender.

Late in the half, Knolle curled a hard free kick from just outside the top of box which ricocheted off the crossbar and right back to him. He followed through on his second chance with a hard shot from outside the post, but Brewers' freshman goalie Ryan Grimme made an easy hand save

Despite the constant counter-attack pressure fueled by Clarkson's strong possession play and crisp passing, Grimme proved unshakeable in goal for Vassar, saving all three shots that came his way in the half to keep the contest even at the break.

Vassar played with a more open formation, looking to spread Clarkson's tough defense, but the Golden Knights stayed resolute and managed a strong and constant counter-attack. The Brewer approach allowed Clarkson nine total 1st half shots (three on goal), while the Golden Knight's limited Vassar to three (only one goal).

Both Grimme and Stuart saved five shots in the game, and Clarkson outshot Vassar fifteen to twelve (six to five on goal). Vassar drew three yellow cards in the game—all in the second half—and Clarkson drew one. Grimme falls to 2-3 on the season and Stuart improves to 5-2-1.