Box Score

Game Program

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 22, 2012) – The Vassar College men's soccer team battled to a triumphant 2-1 victory over Union College on a cold, cloudy Wednesday afternoon at Gordon Field with a spot in the Liberty League playoffs hanging in the balance.

Sophomore forward Tom Weichert scored the game-winning goal with 10 seconds left in the first overtime period to finish off a heated and physical match.

The Brewers, now 10-4-2 (4-1-2 Liberty League) will travel to Annandale-on-Hudson to face Bard College in the final Liberty League game of the season on Saturday, October 27 at 2:00 pm. Union, now 11-4 (4-3 Liberty League) will travel to Saratoga Springs  to face Skidmore in another tough Liberty League contest.

Both teams created excellent chances throughout the first half. The Brewers nearly broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, when a free kick from junior defender Evan Seltzer was deflected to Weichert, who turned and struck a low hard shot that Union keeper Ryan Carter managed to push just wide of the post.

Vassar nearly scored again just five minutes later, when a big throw from senior defender Zander Mrlik was headed towards the net by senior forward Dante Varotsis before swinging wide of the far post.

Despite Vassar's offensive efforts it was Union who struck first in the 59th minute when Dutchmen forward Sahr Nyuma played a through ball past the defense to Dutchmen senior striker Sebastiaan Jansen, who managed to chip the ball over the head of junior goalkeeper Ryan Grimme to send it bouncing into the back of the net.

The Brewers remained focused despite the setback, and their determination paid off in the 70th minute when freshman midfielder Jordan Palmer was awarded a free kick from 30 yards out. Palmer's well-placed kick found the foot of Mrlik, who tapped the ball in from four yards to send the game to overtime.

Vassar nearly ended the game within the opening minutes of overtime, when shots from sophomore midfielder Justin Mitchell and sophomore defender Zachary Nasipak, both coming from Palmer's well-hit corners, forced tough saves from the Union back line. Union however responded with a series of cross and free kicks into the Vassar area kept the game level throughout the first overtime period.

However, with 25 seconds left in the period, Vassar was awarded a free kick from 35 yards out.  The Brewers hustled into position while Mitchell lined up to take the kick. With 10 seconds left to play Mitchell perfectly lifted the ball past the mass of defenders to bounce around and find the foot of Weichert, who slammed the ball into the net to end the game in dramatic fashion.

“We had to battle the whole game, and everyone stepped up huge to get the win” said Mrlik after the game. “There was so much pressure on this game,” added Weichert. “Getting the game-winning goal means a lot.”

Grimme had six saves in the win for the Brewers, while Carter had 11 saves in the loss for the Dutchmen.