POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 16, 2015) – The Vassar College field hockey used a stifling midfield game to keep Western Connecticut State University hemmed in its own end for most of the game, as VC earned a solid 4-1 non-conference victory Wednesday evening on Weinberg Field.

The Brewers (5-1) extended their home winning streak to 13 games, which is the third-longest active streak in Division III. VC was able to increase its consecutive home wins mark thanks to a midfield that wouldn't lead Western (3-2) out of its own zone, as Vassar College allowed just four shots all game.

The midfield, led by Lauren Shumate (Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) and Sophie Arnold (Merion, PA/Lower Merion), was effective at winning and getting the ball back into the attack. The Brewers opened the scoring at 10:33 of the contest, as junior Emma Bracken (Alexandria, VA/T.C. Williams) knocked in a shot from sophomore Storm Sideleau (Contoocook, NH/Kimball Union Academy) for the lead.

Just before halftime, Vassar was able to double its advantage as freshman Emily Poehlein (Northampton, MA/Northampton) scored her third goal of the season. On the play, Poehlein hustled to the end line and pushed a shot from Sideleau over the line for the tally. At the intermission, VC led in shots 9-1 and had taken all four penalty corners.

After the break, the hosts added to their lead on a nice penalty corner play, as freshman Megan Caveny (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) deflected in a shot from Bracken from the top of the circle for a 3-0 advantage. WCSU got a goal back at the 45:22 mark of the game, as Lauren Allen netted a score after Arnold posted a defensive save on the line. Allen corralled the loose ball after the stop, and hammered it in the cage to pull the Colonials within two at 3-1.

Vassar went back on the attack and freshman Mikayla Young (Hackettstown, NJ/West Morris Central) netted her first career score 12 minutes later. The play was set up by senior Bianca Zarrella (Leominster, MA/Leominster), as Young made a sprawling attempt at the ball to push it past Colonial keeper Kristy Trotta.

That was all the offense would need, as Vassar posted four or more goals for the third time this season. The Brewers outshot their visitors 18-4 on the contest, while earning a 7-1 edge on penalty corners. Trotta finished with six saves, while teammate Bryanna Millaby earned a defensive save as well. Sophomore Ashley LaMere (Ballston Spa, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) also played very well for the Brewers on defense.

The Brewers got one save from freshman keeper Paige Amico (Carlsbad, CA/La Costa Canyon), as Caveny and Bracken combined for 11 of VC's 18 shots. In the win, Zarrella earned her 16^th career assist, which leaves her five shy of the all-time record of 21 at Vassar.

Vassar College will travel to Ramapo College (1-3) Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. for non-conference play in Mahwah, NJ.