POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - An overtime tip with less than two minutes to play sealed a season-opening victory for the Vassar College men's soccer team as junior Hawkins Barratt Heitmann (Cutchogue, NY) nabbed his first tally of the year in a 1-0 win over Western Connecticut State University on Friday evening. The Brewers are now 1-0-0 while the Colonials slip to 0-1-0 on the young season.

It was a back-and-forth battle throughout the contest until the overtime session, as the homestanding Brewers finally capitalized on one of their five shots on goal with under two minutes remaining in the extra session. Following a foul on the far side deep in the Western Connecticut State zone, sophomore midfielder Eamon Geraghty (Oneonta, NY) took the free kick, launching the ball into a crowded middle. Battling just past the left side of the goalie, Barratt Heitmann tipped the ball in for the game-winner in the 99th minute.

Both teams had a number of outstanding changes in the contest, including in the first half as first year forward Robert Sam (East Hartford, CT) dribbled deep into the Vassar end, sending a point-blank shot in on net. Senior captain and goalie Will Marment (Stamford, CT) made an outstanding diving save to preserve the shutout.

The Brewers nearly got on the board early in the second half as sophomore midfielder Quinn Tunnell (Hershey, PA) fired in a long ball, which was tipped up and out over the crossbar by Colonials keeper Daniel Szabo (Trumbull, CT). VC rookie Owen Fauth (Keene, NH) also had an outstanding chance late in the second half as the West Conn goalie lost the ball. Fauth had a beat on it, but was unable to get past the Colonials defender, who kicked it out of danger.

Vassar's only other opportunity before the overtime session came from Barratt Heitmann as he laid down an incredible header, which Szabo saved right in front to send it to OT.

The Brewers posted a 10-6 advantage in shots for the contest, while the Colonials owned a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.

Marmet earned his victory with a three-save effort, while Szabo made four stops for Western Connecticut State.

Vassar returns to action on Sunday when it welcomes Mount Saint Mary for a 5pm tilt on Gordon Field.