TROY, NY (October 22, 2016) -- The Vassar College field hockey team was shutout for the first time this season on Saturday, as the Brewers dropped a 1-0 decision to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Senior Day for the Engineers in action from Harkness Field. 

Despite the loss, the Brewers still could host a Liberty League Tournament game depending on what happens Sunday afternoon in the final two conference games of the season. If Skidmore loses at William Smith, Vassar will host Skidmore College Wednesday, November 2 if the University of Rochester is defeated by SLU.

If Skidmore defeats William Smith and Rochester defeats St. Lawrence, Vassar, William Smith and Rochester would be in a three-way tie for second place. In that scenario, the three teams were each 1-1 against each other, and since VC defeated Skidmore, the Brewers would host Rochester. If Skidmore defeats William Smith and Rochester falls to St. Lawrence, Vassar would travel to William Smith in Geneva November 2.

The Brewers (12-3, 4-2 Liberty League) got some solid defensive play in the opening half, as RPI (8-7, 2-4 Liberty League) and VC each fired four shots apiece in the opening stanza. Vassar had its best chance of the first period in the 30th minute, as Cristina Lopez and Megan Caveny were denied on back-to-back shots by goalkeeper Kayla Bell. Five minutes later, RPI almost took the lead but Vassar freshman Sam Plante posted her first collegiate defensive save to keep the game scoreless. 

After halftime, VC had multiple opportunities byt couldn't beat the Engineer goalkeeper who made three early saves in the second half. The lone goal would come with less than four minutes to play, as junior Nicole Clancy tallied a goal from Megan Jones. The play started with a pass from outside the circle intended for Jones, who was right in front the goal. She deflected it across the goal to Clancy, who tallied her first of the season and third of her career.

That was enough, as RPI was able to fend off the Brewers in the closing minutes. Each team fired seven shots on Saturday, while RPI had a 6-3 edge in penalty corners. Vassar's Paige Amico made three stops in net for the Brewers, while Bell finished with five saves. 

Vassar will now travel to the University of Scranton on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in non-conference play.