POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 7, 2017) – The Vassar College field hockey team got a 20^th minute goal from freshman Dara Studnitzer and the Brewer defense made it stand up as Vassar knocked off No. 20 William Smith College in Liberty League action from Weinberg Field Saturday.
 
The win snapped a two-game skid for the Brewers (7-4, 2-1 Liberty League), who pulled into a tie for second-place in the conference with the win. While the goal was important, the defensive intensity was key for Vassar as William Smith came into the game averaging over four goals per game, the highest in the Liberty League.
 
Vassar possessed the ball early on, and had some solid chances but couldn't put a shot on target until the 17^th minute despite taking the game's first five attempts. The Herons had a strong chance in the 15^th minute, as WSC all-time leading scorer Hannah Wood charged in but her shot was saved and knocked out of mid-air by a defender.
 
On an ensuing penalty corner, Wood's second shot of the day was blocked and that would be the last shot for the Herons (9-3, 1-2 Liberty) for the next 19 minutes of action. The Brewers turned the pressure back up, as Emily Poehlein had a great chance but Emily King denied the opportunity for the Brewers.
 
The breakthrough finally came at 19:23 of the game for the Brewers, as Cristina Lopez picked up a loose ball at midfield. The sophomore pushed a pass to Rylie Pope, who deflected the ball to Megan Caveny six yards in front of the cage. After King went to the ground Caveny dribbled out wide and shot towards the empty net, and Studnitzer tipped the ball over two Heron defender's sticks for the game-winner.
 
That's how the game would stand at intermission, as Vassar's defensive unit led by Monica Feeley wouldn't allow any more solid chances. After the break, VC came out attacking once again, and nearly doubled its lead but a defensive save by Samantha Petruzzo kept the score at 1-0.
 
The key point through the remainder of the game came in the 39^th minute, as William Smith broke through the defense and Sierramarie Fitzgerald had a one-on-one with Brewer keeper Liz Rotolo. As the Heron attacker charged in, Vassar's keeper came out and the shot from Fitzgerald was stopped by a diving Rotolo to preserve the shutout.
 
The Brewers nearly doubled their lead again in the 52^nd minute, but Emily King was able to deny both Alyssa More and Storm Sideleau. Late in the match, William Smith had its last chance to get a tie the game, but Wood's shot was stopped by Rotolo at 67:37 and VC would run out the clock to earn the big conference victory.
 
The win for Vassar was its first of the season over a ranked opponent, marking the seventh victory over a ranked squad since the beginning of the 2013 season. VC also moved to 6-0 on its home turf in 2017.
 
VC held a 17-7 edge in shot attempts on Saturday, while also earning eight of the game's 12 penalty corners. Rotolo earned her second full shutout of the season for VC, making three saves, while King finished with eight stops in the loss.
 
"I was so impressed that my team stuck to what we had worked on, we worked really hard just to play our game and I was extremely proud, when we got into the attacking 25 and circle play, we were doing what we were supposed to do," said head coach Michael Warari.
 
The Brewers will continue Liberty League play this upcoming weekend with a pair of tough contests, heading the Skidmore College Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. for league play before hosting St. Lawrence University Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. on Weinberg Field.