Box Score
Game Program

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (August 31, 2012) – The Vassar College field hockey team began its 2012 season in grand fashion, racing out to a commanding 3-0 lead on two goals from sophomore Anna Schroeder, en route to a 3-1 victory over Hartwick College under warm conditions and bright skies at Weinberg Field on Friday afternoon.

The victory fortuitously snapped an 0-7 streak against the Hawks and positioned the Brewers (1-0) with a big victory heading into next weekend's annual Betty Richey Tournament. Vassar will host Bay Path on Friday, September 8 at 7:00 pm. Manhattanville faces Smith College in the 5:00 pm game. Hartwick (0-1) next hosts RPI on September 5 at 4:00 pm.

After a first half that saw the Hawks control play with the first six shots and four straight corners, the Brewers opportunistically got on board when Schroeder scored in the 28th minute. She adeptly stole a clear from a Hartwick defender and rifled home a shot from 14 feet out.

Schroeder scored her second goal in the 38th minute, a tally from the top of the circle that slipped past Hartwick senior goalie Megan Campbell on the right side. Twelve minutes later, the Brewers scored an all-important third goal, when freshman Bianca Zarella scored her first career goal off a rebound from an initial shot taken in front of the Hartwick goal by fellow freshman Haley Merritt.

“This was a big win for our team,” said Vassar head coach Cara Reese. “After a tough loss in our scrimmage against New Paltz on Wednesday, it was apparent that we needed to make a lot of small changes. Our goal for today was that everyone aware of those changes and finish. We did that. It was the style of play we like, aggressive and moving harder to the ball and attacking fearlessly.”

The Hawks, who outshot Vassar 17-14 (9-4 in the first half), crept back into the contest when senior Cassie Jonaitis banged home a goal in the 52nd minute following a penalty corner. It slipped just to the left side of Vassar junior goalie Maggie Brelis.

For the game, Brelis made five saves. Campbell had four. Hartwick held a 9-8 advantage in penalty corners.