POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 31, 2015) – Junior midfielder Lauren Shumate (Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) scored the eventual game-winning goal midway through the second half as the Vassar College field hockey team knocked off Mid-Hudson River rival New Paltz 2-1 Saturday in action from Weinberg Field.

With the win, the Brewers (12-5) completed their second consecutive home schedule undefeated and now have won 18 straight games on Weinberg Field. The victory over New Paltz (13-5) also marked the first against the Hawks since the 2007 season. VC posted its fourth three-game win streak of the campaign in earning its 12^th win, which is the second-most in program history for a single season.

Vassar College had to do something it hadn't done much this year, which is play from behind on its home turf. Despite having many good opportunities early, including a great chance by freshman Megan Caveny (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse), the Brewers were unable to beat Alayna Wageman in net for the Hawks.

The visitors started to get more momentum at the end of the half, and nearly scored in the 28^th minute but a diving defensive save from Alyssa More (Wilmington, DE/Mount Pleasant) kept the game scoreless. On the ensuing penalty corner though, Justine O'Reilly took a deflected shot on the left side, and fired it into the right side of the cage to put the Hawks up 1-0 at 28:24.

After halftime, New Paltz continued to pressure, but a chance to double its lead to 2-0 was thwarted on the goal line by Vassar junior Sophie Arnold (Merion, PA/Lower Merion). After that sequence, the Brewers started to regain control and Storm Sideleau (Contoocook, NH/Kimball Union Academy) brought VC even in the 46^th minute.

On the play, freshman Monica Feeley (Harrisburg, PA/Susquehanna Township) dribbled near the end line and fed the ball across the goal mouth to Sideleau. The sophomore forward was barreled into on the far post, but was still able to get her stick on the ball and into the cage for the equalizer.

Vassar wasted no time jumping out in front, scoring on its next shot five minutes later. At the 50:36 mark of the contest, Shumate took a pass and dribbled up the right side and into the circle. Shumate unleashed a cross, which rocketed off Hawk Kayla McKeveny's stick and past Wageman on the near post to give VC the lead.

Over the final 20 minutes, Vassar's defense was great at keeping the Hawks out of the circle, allowing just one shot, which was blocked. Freshman Molly Youse (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff), Arnold, More and Haley Cubell (Lititz, PA/Manheim Township) remained to be outstanding for Vassar, holding down the backline for the Brewers.

The come-from-behind win for the Brewers was just the second of the season, as Vassar College outshot New Paltz 20-9 on the day. Vassar earned 10 of the game's 15 penalty corners, as Wageman made 11 saves in net for the Hawks while Paige Amico (Carlsbad, CA/La Costa Canyon) made two stops for VC.

The Brewers will now look forward to the Liberty League Tournament semifinals Wednesday, as VC takes on No. 6 William Smith College in Geneva, NY.