POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (March 27, 2015) – Union College junior Jessica Farland scored two overtime goals to break the tie, as the Dutchwomen came back to bounce Vassar 11-9 Friday afternoon in both teams' Liberty League opener. Despite Vassar holding the lead in the final minute of regulation, a late goal from sophomore Jackie Hagopian with 25 seconds remaining tied the game at nine forcing the overtime period. Union improves to 3-2 and 1-0 in the Liberty League with the win, while Vassar moves to 2-3 and 0-1 in conference play.

Sophomore Brittany Botticelli (Commack, NY/Commack) and freshman Julia O'Mara (Severna Park, MD/Severna Park) both tied for a game-high three goals, while sophomore Julia Trudell (Newtown, CT/Newtown) notched a team-best four points on a goal and three assists. Senior Ciara Dudeck tallied a game-high five points on five assists for the Dutchwomen.

VC played from behind early in the matchup of conference foes at Weinberg Field, as Union posted a pair of goals in the opening minutes to take an early 2-0 lead. The Brewers answered back, getting a par of goals from junior Kim Mulvehill (Sudbury, MA/Chapel Hill – Chauncey Hill) and Trudell to tie the game at two with 14:07 left in the half.

The Dutchwomen then went on a quick scoring burst, notching three goals from Emily McGrail (2) and Laura Pachecho to take their largest lead of the game, 5-2, with 11:20 on the clock. The Brewers once again had the rebuttal; going on a three-goal tear of their own led by O'Mara (2) and Botticelli. After a timeout, Union put away one more opportunity to carry a 6-5 lead into the break.

Botticelli brought the Brewers the opening strike of the second half, scoring a woman-up goal to even the game 6-6 with 21:40 to play. A pair of goals from Haley Gould put the visitors right back up by two just a few minutes later, as Vassar called timeout to try and slow down the Dutchwomen attack.

The Brewers rallied down the stretch of the half, first getting O'Mara's third goal of the day at the 11:39 mark to pull within one. Botticelli gave VC the equalizer just a few minutes later to again tie the game 8-8 with 9:12 left on the clock.

Freshman Amelia Rivoir (Huntington Station, NY/Walt Whitman) made her second career goal a big one, scoring off a dish from Trudell with 3:28 to play to put Vassar ahead for the first time all game. Union got possession back on the ensuing draw control, but a timely check from senior Jackie Palma (Manhasset, NY/Manhasset Junior-Senior) turned the ball over in favor of Vassar. 

After clearing their defensive zone, the Brewers attempted to run out the clock dodging the last minute Dutchwomen attempts to force a turnover. Union eventually got it, and with the ball ending up in her stick Hagopian went the length of the field to score the tying goal with just moments to spare.

Vassar had control of the first three minute overtime period, holding the ball in the offensive zone while searching for an open look. With seconds on the clock, freshman Storm Sideleau (Hopkinton, NH/Kimball Union Academy) found Trudell open in front of the cage, but her shot was saved as time expired and the teams switched sides.

Farland made the first shot for the visitors in the second OT period count, scoring her first of the game with 1:07 remaining. Vassar was able to get possession of the ensuing draw control, but a turnover in the final seconds sealed the win for Dutchwomen as time expired.

VC will have an opportunity to rebound tomorrow when the Brewers face William Smith College ta Weinberg Field. Faceoff is slated for 3:00 pm.

--VASSAR--