Box Score
Game Program

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 3, 2012) – In a physical, scrappy game that saw scoring chances for both teams, the Vassar College men's soccer team defeated Mount Saint Mary College 2-0 to remain undefeated. Both goals came in the first half from sophomore forward Tom Wiechert, who came on as a substitute in the 27^th minute.

The Brewers, now 2-0 on the season, return to Gordon Field this Wednesday, September 5, when they will face Western Connecticut State at 5:00 pm. The Knights, 1-2, will next travel to Albertus Magnus College on September 6.

In a fast-paced first half, Vassar pushed forward and was rewarded with a number of scoring opportunities. In the 10^th minute, freshman midfielder Jordan Palmer found himself open at the edge of the box after receiving a nice pass from senior forward Casey Rice, but his shot went wide right. Palmer came close again from the same spot just 10 minutes later, but the ball sailed just over the crossbar. Vassar nearly scored again in the 23^rd minute after junior defender Evan Seltzer picked off a pass in the middle and was taken down a few yards outside the box for a free kick. Sophomore midfielder Justin Mitchell's attempt hit the left post and was ultimately cleared out.

Vassar finally broke through in the 35^th minute when Wiechert scored his first goal of the season. Palmer chipped a through ball over the head of two Knights defenders to Seltzer, who played a low cross to Wiechert in the middle of the box. Wiechert finished the play, decisively putting the ball past junior goalkeeper Matt Darling from 6 yards.

Wiechert struck again with less than a minute to play in the first half; this time, creating his own chance. After receiving the ball in space in the Knight's third of the field, he brought it down the left side, cut across the middle between two defenders, and laced a curling ball off the right post and into the back off the net.

Asked about his strong performance, Wiechert said that the Brewers have an “especially strong desire to win” this year, after experiencing unprecedented success last year, winning the Liberty League Championship and advancing to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament. He also attributed the victory to Vassar's sustained offensive push, particularly the many “penetrating runs” that led to many of the Brewers' chances, including both goals.

The Knight's best chance of the game came in the 57^th minute when senior forward Matt Pagano gathered a cross from freshman forward Alex Tolman mere yards from the goal and delivered a well-placed strike. However, senior goalkeeper Gary Clauss was able to get a hand to the ball and punch it out. In all, Clauss posted 8 saves in the game, while Darling had 7 for Mount Saint Mary.