POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 25, 2014) – After a strong finish to the early season non-conference slate, the Vassar women's soccer team will open Liberty League play this Saturday against Skidmore. The two teams will face off at 2:00 pm at Gordon Field.
 
Game Details
Opponent: vs. Skidmore (3-3-1)
Links: (Skidmore Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility: Gordon Field
Date: September 27, 2014
Time:  2:00 pm
Game Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)
 
What to Look For:
After a slow start to the season, Vassar has rattled off four consecutive wins, including three straight shutouts. Their last two games were emphatic wins over Western Connecticut State (3-0) and Manhattanville (6-0). The Brewers will look to begin Liberty League play with a win for the first time since 2010.  
 
A Look at the Thoroughbreds (3-3-1):
After making it to the NCAA tournament a year ago, Skidmore has had an up-and-down season so far. The Thoroughbreds opened their season with three straight one-goal losses, but have since bounced back, going 3-0-1 in their last four games. During this streak, Skidmore has defeated Oneonta, Castleton State, and Plattsburgh State, before tying Union 1-1 in both teams' league opener on Tuesday.
 
The Thoroughbreds have a balanced offense, with five players taking between 11 and 20 shots so far. Sophomore midfielder Emily Saliterman paces the team with five goals on 20 shots this season, including 13 shots on goal. Five other players on Skidmore have scored one goal. Junior forward Arena Manning leads the team with three assists. In goal, Madison Plummer and Deirdre Walsh have split time, with Plummer starting four games, and Walsh starting three. Walsh leads the team with 22 saves, while Plummer has stopped 12 shots.
 
Against Skidmore All-Time
Vassar is 5-21 all-time against Skidmore, dating back to 1988.  The Thoroughbreds won the first 11 contests between the two teams, before Vassar got its first win on Oct. 11, 1999. Currently, Skidmore is on a three-game winning streak in the series, with all three games ending 1-0. Vassar's last win in the series came on Oct. 23, 2010, where the Brewers won 1-0.
 
Bring Out the Big Guns:
Vassar's array of offensive weapons was on full display against Manhattanville, with five different players scoring. The Brewers took a season-high 36 shots on Saturday, including 15 on goal, while holding the Valiants to just two total shots. The six-goal differential is the largest by a Vassar team since 2009, when VC topped the College of Mount Saint Vincent in a program record 14-0 win on September 2.  
 
Coley Heating Up:
Junior forward Kamaria Coley (Washington, DC/Academy of the Holy Cross) paced the attack for the Brewers against Manhattanville, scoring her first two goals of the season on nine total shots.
 
Wheeling and Dealing:
Senior forward Chloe Wheeler (Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake) was again impressive for Vassar, notching a goal and assisting on another against the Valiants. The goal was Wheeler's 26^th career goal for the Brewers, moving her into a tie for fifth place all-time. It also proved to be the game-winner, which was the 14^th of her career, the most all-time at Vassar. Wheeler leads the team with four goals and nine points on the season.
 
Freshman Feeling It:
Freshman midfielder Amanda McFarland (Redwood City, CA/Menlo) had a breakout game for the Brewers against Manhattanville, scoring her second goal of the season and setting up two more. McFarland is now third on the team in points (6), behind only Wheeler and fellow freshman Katie Voegtlin (Fairfax Station, VA/Lake Braddock).
 
Keep it Up!:
Goalkeepers Emma Nichols (Lexington, MA/Lexington) and Stephanie Tapolsky (Louisville, KY/Dupont Manual) combined to blank the Valiants, marking the third straight Brewer shutout. Nichols has now allowed just three goals in 84 shots faced, saving 39 total shots, while Tapolsky has yet to allow a goal in 90 minutes played.
 
On to the Next One:
After Saturday, the Brewers hit the road for a brutal three-game road trip, traveling to play RIT on October 3, defending national champions William Smith October 4, and nationally-ranked No. 15 Montclair State on October 8.