Box Score

TROY, NY (March 24, 2012) – Down 5-1 at halftime, the Vassar College men's lacrosse team roared back to come within 6-4 late in the third period, but No. 16 nationally ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) closed out the contest with three straight goals to defeat the Brewers 9-4 in the Liberty League opener for both schools on Saturday afternoon.

The Brewers struck first, when sophomore Max Herman flipped in a wrap-around goal for the first of his two goals on the day, with 7:09 to play in the first quarter. But the Engineers would answer with five consecutive goals and took a commanding 5-1 lead into intermission. After the first 30 minutes, RPI had outshot Vassar 23-7 and held a 19-15 edge in ground balls, but the Brewers hung tough, coming within 5-3 and 6-4 in the contest.

Vassar drops to 2-4, 0-1 on the season, while RPI improves to 7-0, 1-0. The Brewers will next host Morrisville State under the lights at Weinberg Field on Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 pm. RIP travels to Oneonta State on Wednesday for a 4:00 pm game.

The Brewers started the second half with back-to-back goals by senior Jeff Lee and Herman, to pull within 5-3. RPI senior Andrew Miller netted his second goal of the game, just 15 seconds later, to give the hosts back their three-goal lead.

After senior Jack Gross brought Vassar within two goals at 6-4, RPI freshman Aaron Shavel took over, scoring two of game's final three goals.

Vassar sophomore goalie continued to shin in goal, making 17 saves against 41 RPI shots. Engineers' junior goaltender James Manchester earned the win making five saves.