POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 26, 2016) — Tanner Sands slotted the game-winning penalty kick in the 81st minute for the Vassar College men's soccer team to top Union College 2-1 at Gordon Field on Wednesday.
"It was a pretty typical Liberty League game, back-and-forth," coach Andy Jennings said. "It was a battle all the way… Overall, a tremendous win."
With the win, the Brewers control their destiny in their pursuit of the postseason. Skidmore College (14 points), Vassar (13 points) and St. Lawrence University (12 points) are all fighting for that fourth and final spot to get into the Liberty League Championships.
Already a lock for the postseason are Hobart College (16 points) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (16 points). The Brewers need to beat Bard College on Saturday to secure their spot as well.
Against Union, the Brewers played with a sense of urgency, outshooting their visitors 14-6 overall. Adam Warner earned the win for Vassar (11-3-2, 4-2-1) with three saves, while John Weitzman took the loss for Union (9-6-1, 2-4-1) with two.
Vassar struck first in the 22nd minute off a set piece. Tyler Gilmore got a head on Hayden Van Brewer's free kick, connecting with Alex Gonzales, who kicked his sixth goal of the season in from close range.
Union equalized the match at one right before halftime. In the 40th minute, Mead Binhammer connected on a dropped save, skidding the Dutchmen's only goal of the game into the back of the net.
"It was just a good, hard-fought game," Sands said. "We had 28 players involved in this game, the bench, all the players from front to back. It was just a hard-fought game, and we came out with the victory."
The match, which saw nine yellow cards and two reds handed out between the two teams, was intense the entire way through. The Brewers were able to capitalize on one of those cards in the 81st minute. Sands notched his fifth goal and second game-winner of the season, slowing approaching the pk before beating the keeper to find the top, right corner.
"It felt great," Sands said. "We just fought so hard for this win. This game meant a lot. It felt really good to put it in and get this win for the whole team."
HIGHLIGHTS
For the final game of the regular season, Vassar will travel to Annandale-On-Hudson, NY to face Bard on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.
—VASSAR—
