POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 10, 2015) – Skidmore sophomore Austin Okoye scored the game's only goal in the 19th minute, as the Thoroughbreds handed Vassar its first loss in the Liberty League, 1-0 Saturday afternoon. The Brewers managed to outshoot Skidmore 11-9 in the game and allowed just one shot in the second half, but could not find the net as the team moves to 6-3-2 and 2-1 in the Liberty League. Skidmore jumps to 8-2 (4-0 LL).
Neither team generated much offense early, until the Thoroughbreds put away the game-winner on their second shot of the first half. Okoye found a soft spot in the Brewer defense outside the 18-yard box, and fired an attempt from distance on goal. VC goalkeeper Sebastien Lasseur (Cornwall, CT/Housatonic Vly Regional) got a hand on it, but could not keep it in front as the ball carried into the back right corner.
Down 0-1, Vassar's best chance in the first half came from sophomore Jose Novas (Doral, FL/Gulliver Preparatory) in the 35th minute. After senior Tom Wiechert (San Clemente, CA/San Clemente) carried the ball into the box, Novas found himself open with a decent look from the right side. His attempt sailed wide left, and VC remained down a goal heading into the break.
Vassar looked like the more dangerous team in the second half, producing seven attempts on goal and six corner kicks. The Thoroughbreds were content to pack in the defense into their defensive third, making the hosts work hard for quality chances.
A header shot from sophomore Tanner Sands (Draper, UT/Juan Diego) had an early opportunity on a cross from the left wing, putting a head on the ball right in front of the 6-yard box. The header had pace, but the Skidmore keeper was in position to make the stop.
Shortly after in the 55th minute sophomore Hayden Van Brewer (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) took a hard shot towards the left post, and had freshman Tyler Gilmore (Coronado, CA/Coronado) streaking onto the ball. Gilmore just missed an attempt to redirect the ball on target, and it trickled out of play to keep the Brewers scoreless.
Vassar pressured to the very end, and even had a man-up opportunity in the closing minutes on a Skidmore red card. The Thoroughbreds limited any quality opportunities, and held off the Brewers to win their fifth straight.
VC will return to action on Friday, October 16 when the team travels to face Hobart College in Geneva, NY. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 pm.
--VASSAR--
