Box Score

TROY, NY (September 24, 2011) – Despite playing the final 48 minutes one man down due to a red card, the Vassar College men's soccer team pulled off a 2-1 comeback victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Saturday afternoon in the Liberty League opener for both schools.

“It was a scrappy game and I'm proud of the way the team found a way to win one man down,” said head coach Andy Jennings.

The Brewers (6-2-1, 1-0 Liberty) host Clarkson this Friday, September 30 at 4:00 pm. The Engineers (4-2-1, 0-1 Liberty) returns to the pitch on Friday for a home contest against RIT at 4:00 p.m.

Vassar sophomore Juliano Pereira redirected a flick from senior Sam Erlichson McCarthy off a throw-in by junior captain Zander Mrlik for the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute.

“We defended very well knowing that we wouldn't have many chances to win short-handed,” said Jennings. “We created a couple chances in the second half and took advantage.”

Four minutes after RPI took the lead with a penalty kick, freshman Tom Wiechert evened the score at 1-1 in the 39th minute on a pass in the box by junior captain Zander Mrlik.

The Engineers were the first to find the scoresheet as senior captain Brad Shelofsky slotted home a penalty kick into the lower left corner of the net in the 35th minute. Classmate Matt Koliopoulos drew the foul just inside the Vassar penalty area.

Vassar junior goalkeeper Gary Clauss earned the win in relief without making a save. Bennett finished with four stops for the Engineers.