Poughkeepsie, NY (September 11, 2016) — The Vassar College men's soccer team improved to 5-0 on the year, topping Elms College 7-0 at Gordon Field on Sunday. 

"It was a great opportunity for us," head coach Andy Jennings said. "I thought we possessed the ball really well today."

Vassar maintained possession throughout the contest, outshooting Elms 29-9. Goalkeeper Matt Marcelino earned the win with a pair of stops, while Connor Curtin took the loss for Elms with eight saves. Will Marment also spent time in net for the Brewers, manning the cage for the final 30 minutes. 

"I think it's a good experience," said senior captain Noah Bloch, who was one of the seven Brewers to find the back of the net. "Everyone got a chance to play, get some time on the field in a real game. As a team, I think we can gain some confidence and move forward."

Goal-By-Goal Breakdown

1-0, VC — The Brewers posted their first tally in the 25th minute. Tanner Sands passed to Reid Smith, who scored his first goal of the year from just inside the right corner of the box into the center of the net. 

2-0, VC — Vassar took a 1-0 edge into the break before heating up in the second half. Mattie Mrlik passed ahead to Jose Novas, who beat his defenders on a fast break before finding the back of an empty net in the 55th minute.

3-0, VC — The Brewers' third goal came in the 61st minute: Bloch ran down the left side before his shot hit off the post into the top corner from about 30 yards out.

4-0, VC — Three minutes later, Vassar made it 4-0: Hayden Van Brewer's free kick found Alex Gonzalez, whose header pass allowed Sands to kick it into the left side of the net.

5-0, VC — The Brewers kept on pushing, and in the 71st minute, Mrlik dribbled down the right side between his defenders before slotting his third goal of the season into the left netting from a difficult angle. 

6-0, VC — Freshman Kevin Baliat notched his first goal of the year in the 85th minute, chipping a shot over the keeper's right from about six yards out, thanks to a pass from Matt Fields. 

7-0, VC — Sophomore Desmond Curran also secured his first collegiate goal, scoring in the 89th minute. Kohei Joshi crossed to Curran, who shot from close range into the back of the net to conclude scoring. 

"I think we're really confident," Bloch said. "We're 5-0, and we're trying to take every game one step at a time. Just keep the energy up, and we know that if we're there and we show up to play, we can play with anyone."

So far this season, Mrlik paces the Brewers with nine points (three goals, three assists), while Sands has secured seven points (three goals, one assist), Novas has totaled five (two goals, one assist) and Tyler Gilmore (two goals) and Van Brewer (four assists) have each registered four.

Vassar caps its four-game homestand on Wednesday, Sept. 14 versus New Paltz. Kickoff on Gordon Field is set for 4 p.m.

—VASSAR—