POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 20, 2017) – The Vassar College field hockey team scored late in regulation to break a scoreless contest, clinching a Liberty League Tournament spot with a 1-0 victory over visiting Ithaca College in conference play from Weinberg Field.
 
With the win, the Brewers (9-5, 4-2 Liberty League) earned their fifth consecutive trip to the Liberty League Tournament. Vassar also completed its fifth consecutive season with an undefeated home conference record, as VC has now won its last 16 conference games on Weinberg Field.
 
Despite a slow and at times sloppy contest in the first half for both teams, the Brewers earned the better chances in the opening period despite playing without sophomore starters Cristina Lopez and Sam Plante, along with junior captain Monica Feeley. Vassar's best chance came just minutes into the game just before the 5:00 minute mark of the contest, as junior Megan Caveny re-directed a pass from fellow classmate Alyssa More but Caveny's attempt was stopped by a diving Savanna Lenker.
 
Vassar had a few more chances in the opening half, but Ithaca's defense stood tall and sent the contest into intermission goalless. VC outshot its opponent in the first half 7-0 and earned six penalty corners, but the Brewers couldn't get the go-ahead goal.
 
After the break, VC nearly went out on top with just under 10 minutes to play as Caveny sent a ball over to More on the right post. More had a solid look at the cage, but her attempt whizzed just off the outside of the post and out. Minutes later though Vassar would get the game-winner on a penalty corner.
 
On the play, junior Mikayla Young inserted out to junior Hayley Cubell, who quickly looked to her left for Caveny. The junior forward send the ball into the middle, where freshman Dara Studnitzer deflected the shot on goal. After a save from Lenker, the ball caromed back to Studnitzer, who had her next chance knocked over the goal line by Young just before it crossed.
 
Ithaca's best chances came on three consecutive penalty corners with just over 11 minutes left in the game, but VC keeper Liz Rotolo made a pair of saves to keep the game scoreless, setting up the game-winner minutes later. The win clinched a winning regular season for the Brewers for the fifth straight season as well.
 
Vassar outshot the Bombers 17-3 on the afternoon, while earning 15 penalty corners to just the three from Ithaca (6-8, 1-5 Liberty). Lenker finished the game with eight saves, while Rotolo came on at halftime to earn the win, making three saves in relief. Friday afternoon was the first ever meeting between the two schools on the field hockey field as well.
 
The Brewers finish conference action on Sunday afternoon, traveling to Union College at 2 p.m. for a matchup with the Dutchwomen (6-8, 1-5 Liberty) on Frank Bailey Field.