POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 1, 2017) – The Vassar College men's soccer team opened its 2017 season just as planned with a 4-0 victory over Western Connecticut State University on Gordon Field.

Head Coach Andy Jennings was pleased with the performance and happy to get the freshmen involved in the first game of the season.

23 players saw game action for the Brewers in the game including eight rookies. Austin Lukasik earned his first career start at defense in his very first game and played well as part of a back line that kept the Colonials off the scoreboard.

The Brewers' offense got started right away when in the fourth minute, Mattie Mrlik found Hayden Van Brewer at the top of the box. Van Brewer collected the ball and fired a low shot past the keeper and into the back of the net to give Vassar a 1-0 lead.

The second goal came in reverse order as it was Van Brewer assisting on Mrlik's goal in the 35^th minute. The senior tapped a free kick right to Mrlik who rifled a shot into the bottom corner for his first score of 2017. Vassar's offense played right until the final horn of the first half as Kevin Baliat found Henrik Olsson for a goal with just two ticks remaining in the opening frame. That sent the home side into the locker rooms with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Out of the break, it was much of the same as the Brewers controlled the pace of play and possession of the ball. In the 74^th minute, Vassar notched its fourth and final tally of the day. Baliat earned his second assist on the day, this time with a pass to Jose Novas. The senior forward made a great run through the middle of the box and knocked the pass right into the goal.

Neither team was overwhelming in the shot department with the Colonials getting off seven total shots while Vassar only had five. But the Brewers made theirs count with four on goal and all four finding the back of the net.

Vassar's defense held West Conn. at bay while not allowing a single shot on target. Sophomore Will Marment earned the start in cage and played 71 minutes before freshmen Mark Infante II made his Brewer debut and closed out the match.

Up next, Vassar hosts Mount Saint Mary on Sunday, September 3 at 4:00 p.m. on Gordon Field as the second half of a Vassar College soccer doubleheader that begins with the women's team hosting NYU at 1:00 p.m.