SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (October 10, 2015) – Vassar played to its second consecutive tie in the Liberty League Saturday afternoon, drawing Skidmore College 0-0 in double overtime. The tie moves the Thoroughbreds to 5-5-1 overall and 3-2-1 in league play, while the Brewers go 7-3-2 overall and 1-0-2 in the Liberty League.
Both teams generated their best scoring opportunities in the second half of the game at Wachenheim Field. Freshman Audrey Pillsbury (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach) nearly put the visitors in front in the 61st minute, but Skidmore goalkeeper Alyssa Rollins managed to tip the curling strike onto the crossbar to keep the game at 0-0.
The Thoroughbreds answered back three minutes later, but Shelby Hanlon's header from a Nicole LoRusso corner went just wide of the left post, keeping the game even.
Skidmore pressed late and looked to have found the winner in the closing minutes. Courtney Shaw broke down the right wing and drilled a low ball across the goal mouth. Senior Emma Nichols (Lexington, MA/Lexington) made a diving save to parry the cross away, and Emily Saliterman pounced on the rebound but her shot sailed over the crossbar.
The Brewers came close to ending the game in the first overtime period, but again Rollins came to the Thoroughbreds rescue. Senior Kamaria Coley (Washington, DC/Academy of the Holy Cross) worked her way into the 18-yard box from the left wing and muscled past her defender for a one-on-one with the keeper. Rollins was quick off her line to cut down the angle, leaving Coley nowhere to place her strike. After Rollins initial save Vassar had two more cracks at the loose ball, but the Skidmore defense managed to block both shots and clear the ball from harm's way.
The Thoroughbreds controlled play in the second overtime frame, driving in four shots, but none were able to challenge Nichols who finished with eight saves for her sixth shutout of the year.
Skidmore outshot Vassar 17-14 and had a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. Rollins stopped three shots over the final 65 minutes, while Deirdre Walsh did not face a shot in the first half.
Vassar will return home for a three-game home stand over the next few weeks, starting with a clash with current National No. 6 William Smith College.
Notes:
Emma Nichols tied the Vassar record for career shutouts after posting the 12th of her career against Skidmore. Her six shutouts this season is a new career-high, and is tied for fourth all-time in a single season at Vassar.
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