POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 5, 2015) – Freshman Rebecca Andrews (Los Altos, CA/Los Altos) made her first career goal a memorable one, scoring the game-winner in overtime to push Vassar to a 2-1 victory over New York University Saturday afternoon. It was a back and forth thriller at Gordon Field, with Vassar coming out on top in the 106th minute with the golden goal. The Brewers move to 1-1 on the season with the victory, while NYU drops to 1-1.
It appeared as though neither side would break the tie with time winding down in the second overtime period, before sophomore Amanda McFarland (Redwood City, CA/Melno) collected the ball with space down the left sideline. She powered a ball across the center of the box, which Andrews headed into the back right corner past the outstretched Violet goalkeeper.
Vassar took its first lead of the game in the opening half, as freshman Audrey Pillsbury (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach) buried her first collegiate goal in the 35th minute. Junior Emily Krebs's (Newport Beach, CA/Newport Beach) pass was deflected into the box, which Pillsbury gathered at her feet and launched into the right corner of the net. The Brewers limited the Violets down the stretch of the half, and carried a 1-0 lead into the break.
NYU went on the offensive at the start of the second, and finally broke into the scoring column in the 52nd minute. A defensive mistake led to a breakaway for NYU's Megan Carver down the middle of the pitch, and she finished her shot past goalie Emma Nichols (Lexington, MA/Lexington) to even the game at one.
The Violets continued to pressure towards the end of the second half, but the VC defense held firm, allowing the visitors just one corner kick in the game with six shots on goal. The Brewers looked dangerous towards the end of regulation, with a brilliant shot by sophomore Katie Hoots (Barrington, IL/Barrington) ricocheting off the cross bar in the 89th minute.
NYU nearly had the game-winner in the first overtime period, after a shot by Carver deflected off the interior of the crossbar. Vassar was there to clear the ball out, and the game continued before Andrews netted the deciding goal just ten minutes later.
Vassar has now taken four of the past five meetings with NYU, and has won in its home opener for three straight seasons. Nichols made a game-high five saves in the cage for VC, picking up her first victory of the year.
VC will return to action on Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00 pm when the team travels to face Western Connecticut State in Danbury, CT at 7:00 pm.
--VASSAR--
