Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 6, 2014) – The Vassar College field hockey team won its fourth overall Betty Richey Tournament and first since 2010 with a 2-0 victory over Manhattanville College in the 26^th version of the tournament.

The tournament was started back in 1989 to honor legendary Vassar College coach and player Betty Richey. Over the years, seven schools have earned the title, with William Paterson holding the most with nine. With VC's victory Saturday afternoon, the Brewers' pulled to a tie for second-most with Kings College with four tournament wins.

The victory for Vassar College (3-0) comes a year after falling 3-2 in overtime to Smith College, which won Saturday's consolation game 4-2 over Thomas College. Right before the championship game, the two teams were forced to clear the field due to weather, but that did not damper VC's spirits or will.

The Brewers defense all weekend was rock solid, led by the play from seniors Enya Cunningham (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) and Hilary McDonnell (Blue Bell, PA/The Springside School). Teamed with sophomore Sophie Arnold (Merion, PA/Lower Merion) and freshman Ashley LaMere (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Lake), the group allowed just one shot on goal all weekend.

Cunningham and LaMere were the anchors at stopper and sweeper, while Arnold and McDonnell handled the flanks for VC. This allowed the offense to go to work for Vassar. In the ninth minute, junior Bianca Zarrella (Leominster, MA/Leominster) had a shot to take the lead, but Haley Linkroum posted a defensive save to keep the game knotted at zero.

Later in the period, Vassar College's hard work paid off with a sparkling score after some solid stick work from freshman Storm Sideleau (Hopkinton, NH/Kimball Union Academy). Sideleau worked around some Valiant defenders and pushed the ball to junior Lauren Wiebe (Chicago, IL/Francis W. Parker) on her backhand. Wiebe calmly flicked the shot into the top of the net over the sprawling keeper for her fifth goal of the season.

After intermission, the game was played mostly in the middle of the field, but the Brewers got another great chance at 51:09 and made it count. Sophomore Hayley Beach (Latham, NY/Shaker) took advantage of the defense focusing on Wiebe, and took a pass out of the air from her forward partner and knocked it into an empty net to double VC's lead.

Right out of a timeout following the Brewer goal, Manhattanville (1-4) had its best chance of the game, but a shot by Melissa Stys rattled the post and kicked wide. Three ensuing corners all went for naught for MC, as the stingy VC defense cleared the circle each time. Vassar College would continue to thwart any MC chance in holding onto its second shutout win of the season.

Junior keeper Amreen Bhasin (Cresskill, NJ/Riverdale) wasn't tested at all with a shot on goal, but still picked up her second shutout of the season after seeing seven total attempts. Meghan Hughes made three saves for the Valiants, who were outshot by VC, 9-7. The Brewers held a small 5-4 lead in penalty corners as well, as the Brewers moved to 3-0 for the first time ever in program history.

Cunningham, LaMere, and Zarrella were named to the All-Tournament Team, while Wiebe earned the Most Valuable Player accolade. Manhattanville saw Bregje Smits, Kirsten Savage, Morgan Parsons and Linkroum earn spots on the squad as well.

From the earlier game, Smith College's Kat Estes and Julia Hamilton were honored, and Thomas College saw Erin Nelligan and Jaclyn Hartwell earn a spot on the All-Tournament Team as well.

The Brewers will look to extend their best start ever Tuesday at home against Kean University at 7 p.m. in non-conference play from Weinberg Field.