POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 31, 2015) – The Vassar women's soccer team notched two second half goals to beat Union College, as the Brewers secured a spot in the Liberty League playoffs Saturday afternoon.
The victory moves VC to 9-6-2 and 3-3-2 in the Liberty League, giving the Brewers 11 points and the No. 4 overall seed in the conference tournament. Vassar will travel to face top-seeded William Smith College on Wednesday, November 4 in the semifinals of the Liberty League playoffs.
Union's season ends, with the Dutchwomen finishing 7-6-3 overall and 3-5 in the Liberty League. The Rochester Institute of Technology (No. 2) will host St. Lawrence University (No. 3) in the other league semifinal.
The second half saw Vassar overtake the Dutchwomen, with the eventual game-winning goal coming in the 56th minute. Freshman Rebecca Andrews (Los Altos, CA/Los Altos) again stepped up for the Brewers in a big moment, heading in a cross from fellow freshman Sara Seper (New Hyde Park, NY/New Hyde Park Memorial) inside the near post.
The Brewers didn't let off the gas in the final 35 minutes, as the team continued to put the pressure on Union late into the game. The best chance for the Dutchwomen in the second half came in the 83rd minute, after Christine Hill launched a shot from the left side. The ball ricocheted off the crossbar and out of play, as the Brewers avoided a possible late equalizer.
Senior Lucy Brainerd (Littleton, CO/Heritage) put the game away in the 89th minute, scoring off a free kick from sophomore Amanda McFarland to give VC a 2-0 edge. The VC team rushed the field as time expired, making the squad's first appearance in the league tournament since 2013.
Vassar held a 7-4 advantage in shots in the first half, but couldn't convert a goal with Union keeper Erica Matteo making three saves. Both teams had some quality looks at goal, but the teams remained scoreless heading into the break.
Despite yielding nine shots to the Dutchwomen, only one was on frame as Emma Nichols (Lexington, MA/Lexington) scooped it up to record her eighth shutout of the season. The mark ties the single season record (Lauren Kelly, 1999) for shutouts all-time at Vassar.
The squad honored its four seniors, which included Kamaria Coley (Washington, DC/Academy of the Holy Cross) and Cayla Neipris (Encinitas, CA/San Diego Jewish Academy) as well as team manager Becca Olsen in a pregame ceremony for senior day.
Stay tuned to Vassarathletics.com for details surrounding the squad's semifinal match up with No. 5 William Smith.
--VASSAR--
