POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 3, 2015) – The Vassar College field hockey team opens its home slate this weekend, hosting the 27^th annual Betty Richey Tournament on Weinberg Field. The Brewers will welcome Smith College Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. for their opening round game, and William Paterson University and Manhattanville College will square off at 7:30 p.m. in the nightcap. The winners will play in the championship game Saturday at 3:30 p.m., while the consolation match will start at 1 p.m. on Weinberg Field.

Game Details
Tournament: 27^th Annual Betty Richey Tournament
Teams:
Smith - (Smith Field Hockey Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
William Paterson - (William Paterson Field Hockey Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Manhattanville - (Manhattanville Field Hockey Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility:  Weinberg Field
Date: September 4-5, 2015
Time:  Friday: 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – Saturday: 1:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Live Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)
 
What To Look For
The Brewers will try to defend their 2014 Betty Richey Tournament this weekend, as VC captured its fourth overall Betty Richey title last season. They face tough competition as William Paterson comes into town as the all-time leader in titles at this event, as the Pioneers have left Poughkeepsie with nine different championship wins. Manhattanville won back-to-back tournaments back in 2011 and 2012, followed by Smith's lone Betty Richey title in 2013. WPU's last Betty Richey Tournament triumph came back in 2004.
 
A Look At The Smith Pioneers
Smith College opens its season this weekend, as the Pioneers look to improve on a 5-13 record in 2014. Smith had troubles defensively last year, allowing over three goals per game while surrendering nearly 20 shots a contest. The Pioneers were strong in the first half of games last year, but were outscored 27-10 in the second period.
 
The Pioneers lost their leading scorer in Marissa Vara, who posted 12 goals and two helpers in 2014. Smith does bring back senior captain Kat Estes, who scored two goals to go with three assists. Leading defender Rebecca Meagher, who had all six of the Pioneer's defensive stops last year, has also left but sophomore Sophie Chase, who started in all 18 games last season, will look to anchor a defense in front of returning keeper Nora Demick. The now senior captain goaltender started 14 games last year, posting one shutout and a 5-9 record with 119 saves.
 
Against Smith All-Time
The Brewers hold a slight 10-8 record over the Pioneers of Smith College, with the last meeting coming in the title match of the 2013 Betty Richey Tournament. In that contest, Smith rallied with a goal late in regulation and scored again in overtime to earn the title.
 
A Look At The William Paterson Pioneers
William Paterson opened its season on Tuesday evening at FDU-Florham, falling to the host Devils 5-2 in a non-conference tussle. In that contest, FDU-Florham took a 3-0 lead before WPU battled back on the strength of two goals from senior Mckenna Reynolds. However, the Devils proved to be too much in the end, scoring back-to-back goals for the win. Freshman Mallory Rickerhauser and senior Meg Davies split time in cage for WPU, as Rickerhauser made six saves in 24:23 of game action.
 
The Pioneers are coming off a 7-11 season in 2014, but return three of their top four scorers from last year. Reynolds chalked up five goals and four assists last year, while junior Elizabeth Kerr and senior Angelica Giammetta netted five goals apiece last year. Davies started all 18 games in net last year for the Pioneers; making 103 saves on the campaign.
 
Against WPU All-Time
William Paterson has held a strong edge on the Brewers in the all-time series, boasting a 7-1-1 mark against Vassar. 
 
A Look At The Valiants
The Valiants come into the Betty Richey Tournament with an 0-1 record, falling to the host Brewers Tuesday evening 6-0 in Purchase, NY in the season opener for both teams. In that contest, the Valiants earned five penalty corners and also fired seven shots but couldn't put a goal behind the Vassar keeper. In that game, senior Morgan Parsons and freshman Erin Goode each chalked up defensive saves, while junior Amanda Cirocco and senior Breanna O'Neill each notched a team-high two shots for the Valiants.
 
Manhattanville was 4-14 in 2014, and lost leading scorer Kirsten Savage, but does return five of its top six scorers from a season ago. Senior Rylee McGuire posted seven goals and six assists as a junior and returns to lead the offense, while Parson chalked up five goals a season ago. Junior Bregje Smits led M'Ville with three defensive saves last year, while junior Meghan Hughes and sophomore Kaitlin Halloran have split time in cage for MC.

Against Manhattanville All-Time
Vassar earned its 13th all-time win in its season opener against the Valiants on Tuesday. Vassar holds a 13-11 edge on Manhattanville in the all-time series.
 
Fresh Take
Newcomer Emily Poehlein (Northampton, MA/Northampton) netted two goals Tuesday in her first collegiate contest. Poehlein became the first Vassar freshman to score two goals in a game since Enya Cunningham accomplished the feat September 16, 2011 in a 2-0 win over Mercy.
 
Storm On The Way
Sophomore Storm Sideleau (Hopkinton, NH/Kimball Union Academy) opened the scoring for the Brewers this season with her unassisted tally midway through the first half at Manhattanville Tuesday. It was Sideleau's fourth career goal, after scoring three last season as a freshman.

Welcome To The Fold
The Brewers trotted six freshmen out onto the field to start Tuesday's season opener. Dating back to records available in 1999, the six freshmen in the starting lineup were the most over that time period.
 
Brick Wall
Vassar freshman Paige Amico (Carlsbad, CA/La Costa Canyon) earned the start in the season opener, and made four stops in chalking up her first career shutout.
 
Beach Day
Junior Hayley Beach (Latham, NY/Shaker) scored her 12^th career goal Tuesday, and now sits just three goals behind four players for ninth-most goals in VC history.
 
Let's Get It Started
The Brewers have started their last four seasons with a victory, with Tuesday's road win marking the first season-opening victory away from Weinberg Field since 2006.
 
Up Next
VC will travel to Union, New Jersey next Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm to take on Kean University in a non-conference faceoff.