Box Score

Game Program


POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 15, 2012) – In a hard-fought game that saw six yellow cards and numerous fouls between both teams, the Vassar College men's soccer team succumbed to SUNY Oneonta State University 2-1 on a windy Saturday at Gordon Field.

The Brewers, now 5-2 on the season, will travel to Throggs Neck, NY to face Maritime College on Sunday at 4:00 pm. The Red Dragons of Oneonta will face Oswego State University at home on Friday, September 21 at 4:00 pm.

The Brewers put forth stalwart defense in the first half, countering an Oneonta offensive onslaught that included 13 shots and eight corners with physical, determined play.

Yet Vassar's tough defense could do nothing to prevent the first goal, which came in the eighth minute when Oneonta midfielder Justin Rivera blasted a low shot, forcing the tough save from junior goalkeeper Ryan Grimme. However, the diving save left Grimme helpless to prevent the follow-up shot from Oneonta forward Eric Fortier, who put the ball in the net to put the Red Dragons up 1-0.

Despite the setback the Brewers kept up the offensive pressure, and narrowly missed tying the game in the 24th minute when senior forward Dante Varotsis battled his way into the box to take a sliding shot that just barely clipped the post to go wide.

Both teams continued to battle for control of the game throughout the half, yet it was Oneonta who struck again in the 41st minute to double its lead. The goal came when Oneonta forward Eric Frontier received a through ball in the box and struck it into the lower left corner. The goal was his second of the game and season.

The Brewers struck back hard in the opening minute of the second half, when a key offensive push found Vassar with a throw-in opportunity deep in Oneonta territory. The throw found the head of junior defender Zander Mrlik, who redirected the ball to the feet of sophomore forward Tom Weichert, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net to bring the score to 2-1.

Vassar continued to press the Oneonta defense throughout the second half, and in the 60th minute again narrowly missed gaining the equalizer when Mrlik, instrumental to the Brewers on both offense and defense, redirected a corner kick just wide of the post. Yet despite their efforts the Brewers were unable to find the goal they needed, and the game ended 2-1.

Ryan Grimme had eight saves for Vassar in the loss, while Oneonta keeper Daniel DeBottis had four saves.