Box Score

                   POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 19, 2013) – Four years of hard work and dedication came to fruition for the Vassar College field hockey seniors Saturday afternoon, as the team's goal of getting to the Liberty League Tournament was realized with a 2-0 shutout win over Union College on Senior Day.

                  With the win, Vassar earned its third Liberty League win of the season, clinching at least a tie for fourth-place. Since the Brewers have knocked off both teams below them in the standings, VC would have any tiebreaker that assures it of its first-ever Liberty League playoff appearance.

                  The contest, which was preceded by festivities celebrating the eight important seniors on the squad, was one that was won almost entirely because of the strong play from the defense. Senior captain Catherine Fiore (Essex Falls, NJ/West Essex) and Hilary McDonnell (Blue Bell, PA/The Springside School) were outstanding all game, as they led the defense in denying Union's attack.

                  The two-way play from Enya Cunningham (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) was another bright spot, as she made numerous huge tackles in the midfield and nearly went coast-to-coast towards the end of the first half on a sparking run that ended just outside the circle.

                  The Brewers (9-4/3-2 Liberty League) controlled play much of the first half, taking the first five shots of the contest. Sophomore Lauren Wiebe (Chicago, IL/Francis W. Parker) got Vassar on the board at the 13:42 mark of the game, as she redirected a hard, low pass from Anna Schroeder (Saratoga, CA/Saratoga) into the cage for a 1-0 lead.

                  Minutes later, Wiebe was back at it, this time capitalizing on a well-executed penalty corner. Sophomore Bianca Zarrella (Leominster, MA/Leominster) inserted to Schroeder, who passed to freshman Lauren Shumate (Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy). The keeper came out to challenge Shumate, but she quickly one-touched a pass to Wiebe, who slammed the ball into the empty net to double the VC advantage.

                  That was all the Brewers would need though, as Maggie Brelis (Cambridge, MA/BB&N) celebrated her Senior Day with her fourth shutout of the season. Brelis was tested twice in the second half, but she was up to the task on both shots. The Brewers also held Union's Nicole Merigliano without a score, as she came in with 14 on the season and in the top three in the League.

                  Vassar has now allowed just two goals in its last five games, and has outscored opposition 21-2 over that span. VC improved its goals against average on the season to 1.00, surrendering just 13 goals through 13 contests. Vassar held an 11-5 lead in the shot totals, while also edging Union in the penalty corner category, 10-5. Union's Molly McCune made six saves on the afternoon.

                  The Brewers will now look forward to its final Liberty League contest of the season Wednesday, traveling to take on RPI at 5 p.m. in Troy, NY.