POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 1, 2016) — Seniors highlighted the day, as the Vassar College women's soccer team blanked St. Lawrence University 4-0 on Senior Day at Gordon Field on Saturday.
Looking at the seniors, Rory Chipman and Emily Krebs combined to score the game-winner, and Kelsey Hamm singlehandedly gave the Brewers a 3-0 advantage off a corner kick in the second half.
"It's a great day for us all around," coach Corey Holton said. "Our seniors combined for the first goal. We had four different goal-scorers, three different assists. It's awesome. It's a great day."
Meanwhile, senior keepers Stephanie Tapolsky (five saves over 85 minutes) and Phoebe Reuben combined to keep the shutout intact for Vassar.
In the other net, Samantha Allen (five saves over 84 minutes) took the loss for St. Lawrence, and Jackie Sovie played the final six minutes for the Saints, allowing a goal with no saves.
The Brewers maintained possession, outshooting their visitors, 16-9. They also took twice as many corner kicks, 10-5.
Following the Senior Day festivities, the Brewers came out with energy. Seven minutes into the competition, Krebs sent the ball from right to left inside the box, where Chipman tumbled the ball beyond the goalkeeper to put the Brewers on the board, 1-0.
"I thought they came out with a lot of heart," Holton said. "I thought they stepped really well defensively throughout the entire game, not just in our back four, but in our midfield as well, and I thought we finished our chances, and that is what we want to do."
In the 21st minute, freshman Savannah Cutler passed back to Rebecca Andrews, who came off her line to quickly get into shooting position. Andrews beamed a laser shot over the goalkeeper from about 25 yards out to give Vassar a 2-0 edge.
The Brewers carried that lead into intermission, but the Saints came out strong in the second half. Tapolsky made a trifecta of magnificent saves over a span of six minutes to keep the shutout alive before the Brewer offense caught fire again.
About 13 minutes into the new half, Hamm singlehandedly scored off a left-sided corner kick, tucking the ball straight into the bottom, right of the net, 3-0.
The Brewers concluded scoring in the 74th minute. Freshman Gabrielle Deitch sent a pass along the edge of the box to Jordan Moss, who rocketed a goal into the right netting from about 18 yards out, 4-0.
With the win, the Brewers improve to 4-5-1 overall and 3-0-0 in Liberty League play, while the Saints fall to 6-2-2 and 1-2-0, respectively.
At the conclusion of the season, the Brewers will wave goodbye to a strong senior class of Chipman, Hamm, Krebs, Rachel Marklyn, Jordyn Matthews, Reuben and Tapolsky.
"I think we're one of the first classes in a long time where everybody who came here freshman year stayed through," Tapolsky said. "We're all very close, the seven of us. I think we're all just very happy for each other and to be with the team and to be celebrated."
There's still plenty of soccer to play, beginning with a midweek matchup against Mount Saint Mary College (NY) on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Kickoff from Gordon Field is timed for 4 p.m.
—VASSAR—
