POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 8, 2014) – The past weekend for the Brewer field hockey team could not have gone any better, as Vassar College earned its fourth Betty Richey Tournament championship with a 2-0 win Saturday afternoon over Manhattanville College. Things don't get any easier though, as New Jersey Athletic Conference foe Kean University comes to Vassar for a 7 p.m. start Tuesday evening on Weinberg Field.

Game Details
Opponent: Kean University (3-1, 0-0 NJAC)
Links: (Kean Field Hockey Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility:  Weinberg Field (500)
Date: September 9, 2014
Time:  7:00 p.m.
Game Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)

What To Look For
Vassar College has been solid on offense for sure, but the defensive mentality for the Brewers has been very strong thus far. Vassar has allowed just three shots on goal so far this season, as junior keeper Amreen Bhasin (Cresskill, NJ/Riverdale) has only had to make one stop this season. The stark contrasting style of play is what Kean will bring to the table, as the Cougars bombard opposition to the tune of 26.5 shots per game, with over 15 per game coming on net. If the Brewers can hem KU in its own end and not allow the Cougars to force consistent pressure, it would definitely help the VC cause.

A Look At The Cougars (3-1)
Kean has three wins this season so far, with all three of the victories coming away from Union, New Jersey. The Cougars like to push forward get everyone involved offensively, which has paid off in 17 goals through four games. The squad has given up 12 though so far, but Kean's ability to keep the attack consistent has been its best defense. Kean, with three wins already, is looking for a repeat season of 2013 that saw the Cougars win 15 games, including 13 of the first 14. Kean is third in the NJAC in scoring average this season, but has allowed the second-highest goals against average with 2.94 tallies a game.

The offense so far has been led by junior Marissa Robinson and sophomore Bridgette Bottinelli. Each has scored five goals so far this season, with Robinson adding a pair of assists as well. Robinson is first in the NJAC in shots this season, and tied for second with 12 points. Krista LaMaina has scored three times and assisted on another strike, and Chelsea Mann has five points on two goals and an assist. Jordan Calna, a sophomore, leads the team with three assists to date. Junior Katie DiCarlo has allowed nine goals in the four starts she has this season, making 17 stops and posting a save percentage of .654. Kimberly Ging has also played in two games in the cage, stopping nine of the 12 shots she has faced.

Against Kean All-Time
The Cougars hold a 5-3 record against Vassar in the all-time series, as KU has won four of the last five meetings with the two teams. Last season at Kean, the Cougars got a goal late in the second half on a penalty corner to defeat VC 1-0. DiCarlo made two saves in that game, while Diane Boccella also had two defensive saves for the Cougars.

Getting Involved
The Brewers have a smaller roster this season, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. All 14 players have played substantial minutes for Vassar, led by freshman Ashley LaMere (Ballston Spa, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), senior Hilary McDonnell (Blue Bell, PA/The Springside School) and junior keeper Amreen Bhasin.

Down On The Corner
The Brewers have been stellar at not giving up penalty corners this season, as Vassar has allowed just six all season and only one during the first half. In contrast, the Brewers have 21 penalty corner attempts so far.

Making Them Work
VC has put nearly 54 percent of its shots this season on cage, led by the 80 percent clip from freshman Storm Sideleau (Hopkinton, NH/Kimball Union Academy).

Keystone Cops
The defense this season has been led by three players that call the Keystone State home. Seniors Enya Cunningham (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) and Hilary McDonnell, along with sophomore Sophie Arnold (Merion, PA/Lower Marion), have helped Vassar to a pair of shutouts so far.

Windy Wiebe
The Brewers have gotten great contributions out of its offense, none more though than from junior Lauren Wiebe (Chicago, IL/Francis W. Parker). Wiebe leads the team with five goals, and was voted Betty Richey Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Best Of The Betty
Four Vassar College players were honored for their play in the Betty Richey Tournament, as Lauren Wiebe, Ashley LaMere, Enya Cunningham and Bianca Zarrella (Leominster, MA/Leominster) all were selected.

Stroke Please!
Since 2001, Vassar College has been awarded just 17 penalty strokes. Of those 17, the Brewers have found the back of the cage in five of them.

Up Next
VC heads to the Brockport, NY this weekend to take on the College at Brockport and SUNY Geneseo Friday and Saturday afternoons.