POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 16, 2014) – The Vassar women's soccer team returns home to face Western Connecticut State after a four-game road trip. The teams will play on Wednesday at 4:00 pm at Gordon Field.
 
Game Details
Opponent: vs. Western Connecticut State (3-3)
Links: (Western Connecticut State Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility: Gordon Field
Date: September 17, 2014
Time:  4:00 pm
Game Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)
 
What to Look For:
Vassar returns home with  some positive momentum after defeating Wesleyan University 2-1 last Wednesday, before topping NYU 1-0 on Saturday. This game marks the start of a three-game home stand, as the Brewers will look to bolster their non-conference record before going into league play. VC opens their first Liberty League game coming up in less than two weeks against Skidmore.

A Look at the Colonials (3-3):
Western Connecticut State has had an up-and-down season so far, dropping their first two contests against Catholic 3-0 and Buffalo State 1-0. The Colonials have bounced back from those early defeats however, coming into this game having won three of their last four, defeating Western New England 2-0, St. Joseph 4-0, and Purchase 6-0, while only losing to Farmingdale State 3-1.
 
The Colonials are led on offense by freshman Andrea DeVoe, with a team-high three goals and six points so far. Junior Rebecca Rivera follows close behind with two goals and four points. Freshman Alexya Alves and sophomore Celia DeVoe lead the team with two assists apiece. In goal, Freshman Jillian Fernandez has allowed seven goals, for a goal's against average of 1.34, and has registered 21 saves. For her efforts, Fernandez was named the Little East Conference Goalkeeper of the Week, for the week of September 7.

Against Western Connecticut State All-Time:
Vassar is 1-7 all-time against the Colonials, with the series dating back to 1994. The two teams played every year from 1994 to 1998, and then did not play again until 2011. Western Connecticut State is currently on a six-game winning streak in the series, with the Brewers last winning in 1995 1-0 in overtime. The team's last matchup came on September 18, 2013, with Western Connecticut pulling out a 2-1 victory in double overtime.
 
Freshmen Firepower:
Freshman forward Katie Voegtlin (Fairfax Station, VA/Lake Braddock) has made her presence known in her first season. Voegtlin registered her first career goal against NYU on Saturday, which proved to be the game-winner, while also taking four shots against Wesleyan. Fellow newcomer Amanda McFarland (Redwood City, CA/Menlo) had the game-winning goal last Wednesday when the Brewers topped Wesleyan 2-1.
 
Forward Focus:
Senior forward Chloe Wheeler has been vital in the Brewers offense so far, leading the team with two goals, four points, 18 total shots, and nine shots on goal.
 
Top Class Net Minder:
Junior goalkeeper Emma Nichols (Lexington, MA/Lexington) recorded her second shutout of the season, facing 15 total shots against NYU while saving eight of them. Nichols has played every minute so far this year, allowing just three goals in five games and registering 34 saves. Nichols currently ranks first in the Liberty League in both saves per game (6.80) and total saves (34).
 
Tough Road Ahead:
The Brewers have a difficult schedule coming up, facing off against regionally-ranked No. 2 Union, No. 5 RIT, No. 9 Smith, and No. 10 St. Lawrence. Vassar also faces nationally ranked No. 14 Montclair State.
 
Coming Up Next:
The Brewers stay at home this Saturday September 20^th, facing off against Manhattanville at 2:30pm at Gordon Field, before starting league play on Saturday, September 27^th against Skidmore at 2pm.