POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Featuring a young squad of ten newcomers, the Vassar men's soccer faces an early challenge against two NCAA Tournament teams to open the season. The Brewers first meet Western Connecticut State on Friday, Aug. 31 (4 p.m.) and then travel to Mount Saint Mary (5 p.m.) on Sunday, Sept. 1.   

Looking Back
Last season saw the Brewers finish with a 10-5-3 overall record, while recording a program-best 6-1-2 in Liberty League action. Tyler Gilmore (Coronado, CA) was named the 2017 Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year. Hayden Van Brewer (Wilbraham, MA) earned first team all-league honors, while Jose Novas (Doral, FL), Mattie Mrlik (San Francisco, CA) and Reid Smith (Greensboro, NC) picked up second team awards.
 
Moving Ahead
The 2018 edition of Vassar soccer consists of 10 freshmen and nine sophomores, with five juniors and four seniors.
 
Forwards
Junior Mrlik is the top returning scorer, accounting for 12 points (4 goals, 4 assists) his sophomore year. Added to the mix are junior Kevin Baliat with six points and sophomore Jonathan Bow, who scored his first-career goal on a game-winner against Clarkson last year. Nathan Logan (San Francisco, CA) is the sole newcomer.
 
Midfield
Vassar loses three midfielders to graduation in Noah Snider (Laramie, WY), Van Brewer and Smith, a trio who accounted for 16 points last season. Returning senior Toby Stansell (Seattle, WA) and junior Nathaniel Kim (Clarksville, MD) are joined by a young group of eight underclassmen. Sophomores Hawkins Barratt Heitmann (Cutchogue, NY), Jordi Martinez (Takoma Park, MD), Carlos Espina (College Station, TX) and Andrew Goldsmith (Princeton, NJ) are all back, while first-years Eamon Geraghty (Oneonta, NY), Quinn Tunnell (Hershey, PA), Nico Corbo (Clermont, FL) and John Gaston (Barnet, VT) add depth to the position.
 
Defenders
A mix of veterans and newcomers makes the Vassar defense one of the strongest in the league. Returning starters Gilmore, Tim Collins (Arlington, VA), Henrik Olsson (Tokyo, Japan) and Austin Lukasik (Jupiter, FL) led a stout Brewers defense that allowed only 17 goals in 2017. Desmond Curran (McLean, VA) and Alec Yeaney (Marietta, GA) are key returners, while freshmen William Christopher Cho (Auburn, WA), Reis Kissel (Mercer Island, WA), Lucas Mann (Morristown, NJ), Garrett Lusk (Arlington, VA) and Ethan Snyder (Albany, NY) join the fold.
 
Goalkeepers
Losing Matt Marcelino (Valencia, CA) to graduation, the Brewers return three goalkeepers with Will Marment (Stamford, CT), Mark Infante II (Stowe, VT) and Luke Lefeber (Hoboken, NJ). Marment had eight starts last season, recording a 4-1-2 record with 31 saves, two shutouts and a 0.73 goals against average.
 
Scouting Western Connecticut
The defending Little East Conference champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier Colonials went 14-7-1 last season, and was named the 2018 LEC preseason favorite. LEC Offensive Player of the Year, Chauncey Allers leads the Colonials' offense, accounting for 34 points (15 goals, 4 assists) in 2017. Visiting teams faced a challenge when traveling to Western Connecticut, with the home team owning a 10-1-1 record.
 
Series
Western Connecticut owns a 7-5 series record against Vassar, but the Brewers have won the past five contests since 2012 while allowing only one goal in that streak. Goals from Van Brewer, Mrlik, Olsson and Novas downed the Colonials in last year's season opener for the 4-0 victory.
 
Scouting Mount Saint Mary
The Knights went 12-8-0 last year, winning the Skyline Conference Championship and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Four Mount Saint Mary players were named all-conference. Sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Rapp posted a 0.75 goals against average while recording seven shutouts in 2017.
 
Series
Vassar has a 22-1-2 record against Mount Saint Mary since 1990. The Brewers were down 1-0 to the Knights a year ago, but scored three unanswered goals for a 3-1 win.
 
Back Home
Following the road trip, Vassar has their home opener on Wed. Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. against Manhattanville.