POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 2, 2016) -- Sophomore Mikayla Young scored midway through the second half, and the Vassar College defense made the tally stand up as the Brewers started their 2016 season with a 1-0 win over SUNY Geneseo in the first day of action from the 28th annual Betty Richey Tournament on Weinberg Field.

With the victory, Vassar (1-0) will advance to play in the title game for the fourth straight season, while looking to earn its third consecutive championship at 3:30 p.m. Saturday against Smith College. The Pioneers defeated Manhattanville College 2-1 in overtime for the right to meet the Brewers. 

The contest was played mostly in the Geneseo (0-1) end, as Vassar totaled nine first half penalty corners along with outshooting the Knights 13-0 in the opening period. VC had a great flurry in the 10th minute, but Knight keeper Nicole Gregg made a point blank save on sophomore Alyssa More. Sophomore Megan Caveny had two chances, but the first was blocked while the second whizzed just wide. 

The penalty corners continued to come for Vassar, with one in the 13th minute producing two shots, but More and Young were denied by Gregg. Despite the stat differences, Geneseo's defense was strong in the circle, jettisoning most of Vassar's attempts towards the cage. 

After the break, the Knights got their first taste of the offensive end, making sophomore Paige Amico make a pair of saves on Diana Ruggiero and Cara Stafford. Over the next 15 minutes though, VC would earn three more penalty corners, setting up the eventual game-winner. 

On the play, Young inserted on the penalty corner but the feed was fumbled at the top of the circle. Senior Emma Bracken corralled the ball, and fed senior Lauren Shumate 10 yards from goal in front of the cage. Her feed in front was deflected by a Knight defender right to Young, and her second effort was enough to beat Gregg and give Vassar the lead. (Highlight of Goal HERE)

Down the stretch, Vassar's press and ability to earn corners was what earned it a season-opening victory for the fifth straight season. Vassar also extended its home winning streak to 19 games with the victory. 

The Brewers outshot the Knights on the evening 23-3, while dominating the penalty corner tally, 19-1. Gregg posted nine saves for the Knights, while Amico stopped two of the three attempts to earn her seventh career shutout. More led Vassar with six shots and four on goal, while Caveny added five attempts as well. Sophomore Molly Youse came off the bench and was great, as was freshman Cristina Lopez, who played the entire 70 minutes in the midfield for Vassar. Shumate was her normal dominant self in helping VC control possession. 

"I was really impressed with Geneseo defensively, they were a really great test for us for our first game," said head coach Michael Warari. "We kept playing our game, believing in one another and we got the goal eventually. We're excited to be playing for another Betty Richey championship tomorrow."

Day two of the Betty Richey Tournament starts Saturday at 1 p.m. with the consolation game between Geneseo and Manhattanville, while Vassar and Smith will tussle at 3:30 p.m. for the tournament title.