GENEVA, NY – Senior midfielder Savannah Cutler scored in the first half and the Vassar College women's soccer team defense was outstanding in leading the third-seeded Brewers past second-seeded Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) by a 1-0 margin on Saturday in game two of the Liberty League Semifinals. The victory moves the Brewers to 11-7-1 on the season, while the Tigers fall to 11-5-2.

Vassar advances to their third Liberty League Championship in program history and will face top-seeded William Smith on Cozzens Field at 1:30pm on Sunday. The Brewers last appeared in the championship final in the 2017 season when they faced William Smith.

The Brewers broke onto the scoreboard first in the contest in the 34th minute behind (Deer Park, TX) seventh goal of the season. Powering into the offensive zone, Cutler sent a low shot in past the reach of junior goalie Alyssa Salls (Plattsburgh, NY) for the 1-0 advantage.

RIT had its chances in the opening half, one of its best coming in the 27th minute as senior defender Abbey Saia (Monroe, CT) sent a low shot in to the center, but Brewers junior keeper Fiona Walsh (Hackettstown, NJ) was there to make the stop. Vassar's defense also played a critical role in the 30th minute, blocking a pair of shots from Tigers' rookie Christine Cataldo-Smith (Yardley, PA).

As the second half of action opened, the Brewers faced a huge defensive test as RIT held its ground in the offensive end, powering 12 shots on in the stanza. The backline and Walsh proved incredibly solid through every test.

In the 56th minute, Saia broke in on goal for a 1-on-1 with Walsh, but the Brewers keeper made a diving save to send the ball careening to the left and out of danger.

Another shot, this time off the foot of RIT freshman midfielder Erin Allor (Upper Marlboro, MD), was blocked beautifully by Vassar as senior defender Jordan Moss (Tustin, CA) kicked it away with her left foot in the 64th minute.

Saia nearly grabbed the equalizer in the 70th minute, dropping a shot into the high right corner of the goal, but Walsh was there to punch out the ball and preserve the advantage.

The Brewers had an outstanding chance in the 78th minute as Cutler once again came down the middle and fired a low shot in on goal, but Salls was there to make the mid-air catch.

RIT continued its offensive onslaught and nearly got one in as senior forward Mia White (Littleton, CO) rocketed a shot in, which bounced off the goal post as Walsh threw out the rebound.

In the closing seconds, the Tigers pressed, but the Brewers were able to maintain play toward the midfield to secure the victory and send them to the championship game.

Walsh earned the victory with five saves, while the Brewers backline recorded five blocked shots in the contest. On the other end, Salls shouldered the loss with two stops.