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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – It is a rematch of last year's Liberty League title game with the No. 16 Vassar field hockey traveling to Rochester on Saturday at 1 p.m. to defend their conference title. The Brewers defeated the Yellowjackets 1-0 a season ago, and this marks the second time Vassar has reached the title game.
 
Under the direction of seventh-year head coach Michael Warari, the Brewers are 15-3 overall (5-2 Liberty) following a 2-1 overtime win against Skidmore in the Liberty League Semifinals.
 
Vassar features one of the toughest defenses in the Liberty League, as well as the nation. The Brewers have shut out eight opponents, while allowing a conference low 15 goals this season. They also lead the nation in save percentage (.896), and rank fourth nationally with 23 defensive saves. On offense, Vassar is third in the league in goals (42) and scoring average (2.33), while ranking second in shots (321) and fourth in assists (27).
 
Individually, the Brewers are led in scoring by senior Stephanie Palma (Manhasset, NY) who has seven goals and five assists for 19 points. Her four game-winning goals is tied for first in the conference, as well. Senior Rylie Pope (San Diego, CA) adds a team-high eight goals with two assists for 18 points.  Among the Liberty League leaders, Pope ranks fifth in shots (70), fourth in shots on goal (45), and sixth in goals.
 
Junior Grace Amell (West Hartford, CT) tacks on 14 points (six goals, two assists), while senior Cristina Lopez (Timonium, MD) also has 14 points behind two goals and a team-high 10 assists. Her assist total ranks second in the league and 29^th nationally.
 
Defensively, the Brewers are anchored by one of the nation's best backlines. Junior Ally Aquilina-Piscitello (Lexington, MA) holds things down with a league-best 12 defensive saves, which is also third in the nation. Lopez has five defensive saves, while junior Nikki Pallotta (Clarence, NY) has four.
 
In goal, freshman Jules Smith (Mullica Hill, NJ) started 11 games owns a 9-2 record this season with a league-best five shutouts. In 709:00 minutes of action, she leads the league in goals against (9), goals against average (.762), and save percentage (.898). Her save percentage is also best in the nation. Senior Liz Rotolo (Lebanon, NJ) appeared in nine game, tallying a 6-1 record with three shutouts. She has made 24 saves and is right behind Smith with the league's second-best save percentage at .828.
 
The winner of this game receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament.