Box Score ANNADALE-ON-HUDSON, NY (November 1, 2014) – Freshman Tanner Sands (Draper, UT/Juan Diego) punched in a shot from close range in overtime to give Vassar a 2-1 victory over Bard College in the team's regular season finale Saturday afternoon. The win clinches the No. 3 seed in the Liberty League tournament, setting up a rematch with second-seeded and nationally-ranked No. 17 RPI in the semifinals. Vassar moves to 11-5-2 (5-2-1 LL) on the season with the win, while Bard finishes its 2014 campaign 5-12-0 (1-7 LL).
In the 94th minute with the game hanging in the balance, Sands ran deep into the box and collected a low cross from junior Jordan Palmer (Woodland Hills, CA/Agoura) to notch the game-winner. The goal was the first of his Brewer career, and came at a big moment to help his team lock up the third seed in the Liberty League and remain undefeated all-time (16-0) vs. the Raptors
The Brewers initially found themselves on the ropes late in the second half, after a ball was crossed into the VC box from the right wing. An initial deflection from Bard's Nick Shenberger was stopped on an incredible save by freshman goalkeeper Matt Marcelino (Valencia, CA/Notre Dame), who started his first ever game for Vassar against the Raptors. However, sophomore David Mamukelashvili got a foot on the rebound and converted his shot to the far post to put the Brewers down 1-0.
VC found the answer less than six minutes later, after a free kick from junior Gavin Jennings (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington) found the head of fellow junior Nick Hess (Troy, NY/Averill Park) in the box. Hess's header sailed past the Bard keeper into the net, evening the game 1-1 in the 77th minute.
Vassar dominated the offensive possession in the first half, posting 14 shots to Bard's three but unable to capitalize on any opportunities. A shot from Palmer in the 27th minute deflected off the post, while another attempt from junior Cosmo Veneziale (Garden City, NY/Garden City) hit the crossbar in the 42nd minute. VC forced Bard's keeper to make five saves in the first half and six overall, while Marcelino notched three saves in his first career victory.
Vassar will travel to face RPI on Wednesday, November 5 in the semifinals of the Liberty League Championships. Stay tuned to vassarathletics.com and @vassarathletics for updates and more information leading up to the game.
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