POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 12, 2015) – Both sides netted a goal in the first half, as the Vassar men's soccer team went on to tie No. 3 SUNY-Oneonta 1-1 Saturday afternoon. The game was not devoid of scoring chances throughout regulation and overtime, but neither team could net the elusive game-winning goal. The Brewers move to 2-1-2 on the year with the draw, while Oneonta stands at 3-1-1.
Senior Adam Warner was fantastic in the cage for VC, totaling seven saves including several diving stops to preserve the tie. The Red Dragons held a 19-8 advantage in shots with a slim 7-6 edge in corner kicks in the contest.
The Brewers put the pressure on early in the game at Gordon Field, and were quickly rewarded with a score in the 10th minute. After a Vassar corner kick was initially cleared away, sophomore Hayden Van Brewer (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) played a ball back into the box from deep on the right sideline. Senior Nick Hess (Troy, NY/Averill Park) found his way to the cross, but was quickly swarmed by a pair of Red Dragon defenders. Hess fought through the contact, and buried a shot past the goalkeeper to put Vassar up 1-0.
Oneonta would tally the equalizer later on in the first half, after the official dinged Vassar for a handball inside the 18-yard box. Senior Dylan Williams stepped up to take the penalty kick for Oneonta, and powered his shot into the right corner to tie the game at one. The Red Dragons would hold an 8-4 advantage in attempts on goal in the half, but the teams stayed knotted at one heading into the second period.
The Red Dragon defense did not allow much for the Brewer offense in the second half, but the team still produced a handful of chances before the end of regulation. Freshman Tyler Gilmore (Coronado, CA/Coronado) appeared to have the game-winning goal in the 88th minute, but his header shot deflected straight down off the crossbar. The ball was quickly scooped up by the Oneonta keeper, before time expired a few minutes later and the teams headed into extra time.
Oneonta had a sure game-winning goal in the 95th minute, after a breakaway down the right channel gave senior Brian Bartichek an open look at the net. Bartichek blasted a shot inside the 18, but Hess was there to deny the goal and clear the ball from danger. With just seconds remaining in double OT, the Red Dragons again had a quality scoring chance off a header from sophomore Cory Santangelo. His attempt traveled high towards middle of the net, but an outstretched Warner punched the ball away to keep the game even.
Vassar will return to Gordon Field to face No. 21 Stevens Institute of Technology on Wednesday, September 16 at 4:00 pm.
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