POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 24, 2016) – The Vassar College men's lacrosse team won 26 of the 29 face-offs Wednesday afternoon, opening the season with an emphatic 19-7 victory over Western Connecticut State University in a rainy day from Weinberg Field.

The story of the game was the dominance at the face-off "X" throughout the game, which forced the visiting Colonials (0-1) to defend for much of the game. The Brewers (1-0) got on the board off the opening draw, as junior Liam Moriarty picked up the opening ground ball and fed senior captain Noah Parson for the lead just eight seconds in.

Vassar netted the first five tallied of the game, a pair each from Parson and junior Sam Houston-Read, before Western Connecticut State got on the board with two before the quarter break. In the second period, VC won all 11 draws contested as Vassar netted the first nine goals to take a 14-2 lead after the first goal of the season from Moriarty. During the run, junior Chris Billups scored three goals while Parson chalked up another two tallies.

After the halftime intermission, which was shortened to five minutes due to the heavy rain, Western Connecticut scored the first goal of the second half on a tally by Nate Wilson, his second of the game. VC would net the next three scores of the third period, as Andrew Killinger, Parson and Brandon DeStasio all tallied for the Brewers.

VC continued to hold its advantage, rolling to the 12-goal win on opening night. The Brewers outshot their guests 46-28 Wednesday, and scored on two of their four extra-man opportunities. Parson paced the Brewers with five goals and an assist, while Houston-Read and Billups each had five points with three scores and a pair of helpers.

Freshman Dekker Stebel had a strong game in his first collegiate contest, scoring three goals on seven shots, adding two assists as well. Moriarty had a great game all-around, winning 12-of-14 face-offs while scoring once, picking up 11 groundballs and leading VC with three helpers. DeStasio also posted a goal and assist in addition to seven ground balls. Sophomore Eric Fishman won all 10 of his draws, picking up eight ground balls as well.

Junior Brandon Crecco made six saves in earning the victory, while Matthew Boyd came off the bench to make a pair of stops. Vassar did play the aggressor Wednesday, though it was whistled for eight penalties on the night.

Robby Swenson led Western Connecticut with five points on two goals and three assists, while Nate Wilson added a pair of goals and two helpers. Zach Craybas came off the bench to play the final three quarters, making five saves on the night.

The Brewers will now head on the road next Wednesday, March 2, to take on Montclair State University at 6 p.m. in Montclair, NJ.