POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 25, 2017) – Junior Megan Caveny scored with just over two minutes to play in the opening overtime period, handing previously undefeated University of Scranton its first loss of the season as Vassar College earned the 3-2 victory in field hockey action from Weinberg Field Wednesday evening.
 
The Brewers (10-6) picked up their 10^th win of the season, which marked the fifth consecutive season of earning at least 10 wins. The victory also knocked Scranton (15-1) from the ranks of the nation's undefeated, as only Messiah College remains as Division III's only undefeated team. VC also upped its home record in 2017 to 9-0 on the year.
 
The University of Scranton had the better of the opportunities in the first half, but the only shot on goal over the first 18 minutes was a Megan Gallagher attempt at 2:26 of the contest for Scranton. Vassar took advantage on its first shot attempt to hit the cage, thanks a phenomenal tip in front from junior Emily Poehlein. After a restart, sophomore Sam Plante drove a ball into the circle, and Poehlein tipped the hard shot over Jenny Cyr's pad for the early lead.
 
Vassar would continue to get its pressure offensively over the next few minutes, and earned a penalty stroke in the 26^th minute, as a Scranton defender stopped a shot that was going in from Caveny with her foot to earn the stroke. On the attempt, junior Alyssa More left no doubt with a great penalty into the top left corner.
 
The Royals would respond after the goal from Vassar, putting the Brewers under siege but a defensive save from freshman Nikki Pallotta kept VC up 2-0. Right before halftime, Scranton had another chance, but a Ryan Jones' shot was saved by Liz Rotolo off of a penalty corner. Scranton held a 9-8 edge in shots in the first half, earning six penalty corners as well.
 
The second half Vassar dominated the shot column, but it would be the Royals who got back into the game, scoring on two of their four shots. In the 63^rd minute, Meredith Campbell scored her 29^th tally of the season, hammering home a centering feed from Gallagher to make the score 2-1.
 
Just before the goal, Vassar nearly extended its lead to 3-0, but a Megan Caveny shot was stopped off the line by a defensive save from Jessica Kaplowitz.
 
With eight seconds remaining, Scranton tied the game though and sent it into overtime, as Campbell posted her 30^th goal of the season. On the play, Vassar keeper Liz Rotolo charged out and slide, but in the process took down Campbell to earn a penalty stroke. Campbell finished the stroke to send it into the extra session.
In overtime, Vassar nearly ended it at 72:25, as Caveny clanged a shot off the post. Scranton earned a corner moment later, but Rotolo was stout in net for Vassar to keep the game going. The game-winner came with under three minutes to play in the first overtime, thanks to some nice passing from the Brewers.
 
Junior Mikayla Young stole a pass in the midfield and drove into the circle, before feeding More 15 yards in front of cage. More took the pass and jockeyed towards the cage, feed a pass through the Scranton keeper, who had come out to stop the attack. The ball went straight to Caveny on the left post, who had time to gather and sweep the shot into an empty net for her third game-winner of the year.
 
The 13^th goal for Caveny moved her out of a tie for the most goals in a season by a Brewer player since 2000. Caveny now has 28 tallies for her career, which is two short of No. 2 in program history.
 
Vassar ended up outshooting their visitors Wednesday evening 26-17 in an offensive battle, while VC edged Scranton in the penalty corner department, 10-9. Caveny led all players with 12 shots, while More added seven attempts along with her goal and assist. Rotolo finished with seven saves for the Brewers, and Cyr made 10 stops for the Royals.
 
VC will finish its regular season on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., taking on New Paltz for Senior Day, as the squad will honor its lone senior, Storm Sideleau, prior to the home contest.