POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Two first half goals from senior Rylie Pope and junior Grace Amell lifted the No. 9 Vassar field hockey team 2-0 over William Smith on Friday. The Brewers snap a two-game losing streak and move to 11-2 overall and 3-1 in Liberty League play, while the Herons slip to 4-8 and 1-3 in the conference.

Vassar got on the board late in the first quarter following a penalty insertion from senior Stephanie Palma at the 13^th minute. Palma passed to Pope at the top of the circle where she one-timed the shot straight into the Herons' net.

The Brewers carried their momentum into the second quarter. After a succession of shots from Pope and Palma, the William Smith goalkeeper deflected the shot to Amell about five yards away from the goal. With the goalkeeper on the ground, Amell flicked the ball into the right corner for the score. The Herons had a few chances soon after Sophia Craig and Kelsey Pierce rattled a few shots off a penalty corner. Freshman goalkeeper Jules Smith held strong to make a pair of saves.

Early in the third quarter the Herons nearly got on the board after drawing a penalty stroke at 32:23. Pierce lined up for the attempt, but put a little too much on it as it sailed wide left. Neither side would score in the second half, but shots kept flying with the Brewers holding a slight 11-10 advantage.

Smith finished the day with nine saves, while junior Ally Aquilina-Piscitello tallied a defensive save.

Vassar returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 20 when they travel to face Rochester at 12 p.m.