Box Score POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 24, 2015) – Junior Isabelle Goldstein (Belmont, MA/Belmont) etched her place in the all-time record books for Vassar Friday evening, breaking both the season (31) and career (79) assist records in a 11-5 victory over St. Lawrence University. Goldstein passed Ali Fantl ('07) in both categories, recording three assists in addition to three goals for a game-high six points.
With RPI and William Smith both losing today, Vassar (9-5, 5-3 Liberty) is a step closer to locking up a spot in the 2015 Liberty League playoffs as either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed. A win tomorrow against Clarkson will secure the third overall seed in the conference tournament, while a loss could drop the Brewers to the No. 4 spot or out.
Vassar was outstanding in the second half, scoring 10 unanswered goals to take the lead and go up big on the Saints. Sophomore Julia Trudell (Newtown, CT/Newtown) tied for a game-high three goals, while fellow sophomore Sydney Spadinger (Shelton, CT/Shelton) posted three points on two goals and a helper.
The Vassar defense was relentless in the second period of play, allowing the Saints just one garbage time goal while tying its season-high in turnovers in a Liberty League game with 16. Seniors Jackie Palma (Manhasset, NY/Manhasset Junior-Senior) and Evie Toland (Nyack, NY/Nyack) led the charge defensively combining for nine caused turnovers and seven ground balls. Senior goalkeeper Kate Pula (Washington Township, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) earned the victory, making six saves while allowing just five goals.
St. Lawrence carried the momentum early in the windy game at Weinberg Field, as Michaela Maybee scored the first goal on the day at the 25:14 mark. Sophomore Brittany Botticelli (Commack, NY/Commack) answered for VC with 20:56 to play, scoring her 17th goal of the season to bring the game even.
The Saints then went on their most dangerous run of the afternoon, scoring three straight goals to jump out to a 4-1 advantage with 14:27 to play. The three-goal lead didn't last long, as freshman Storm Sideleau (Hopkinton, NH/Kimball Union Academy) notched her lone goal of the afternoon off the draw at the 14:05 mark to get the Brewers within two. Goldstein would put one more away for the Brewers with 2:29 left to go in the half, as Vassar trailed just 4-3 heading into the break.
A determined Vassar team emerged in the second half, scoring the first eight goals of the period to slam the door on the Saints. After an early Spadinger goal, Goldstein gave VC its first lead of the afternoon, 5-4, on a free position score with27:42 on the clock. From there the floodgates opened, as Vassar took advantage of its offensive opportunities and forced mistakes from the visitors on the clear and in their offensive sets. Trudell rattled off three consecutive goals to round out the scoring for Vassar, while Goldstein cemented her place in Vassar women's lacrosse history with her final two assists.
Vassar will wrap up the regular season tomorrow afternoon against Clarkson University at 2:00 pm on Weinberg Field. The team will honor its eight seniors for senior day in a pregame ceremony.
--VASSAR--
