POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - It was a shutout affair, aided by a three-point effort from junior Hawkins Barratt Heitmann, as the Vassar College men's soccer team bested Bard College, 3-0 in the Liberty League opener for both teams. The victory moves the Brewers to 4-3-1 overall (1-0-0 LL), while the Raptors are now 1-6-0 (0-1 LL) on the season.

Vassar opened the scoring in just the 14th minute of the contest as sophomore defender Garrett Lusk (Arlington, VA) sent a high cross from left to middle. Battling with a defender in the center of the box, Barratt Heitmann used a height advantage to leap into the air, heading the ball in past Raptors goalie Logan Leppo (Lawrenceville, NJ) for the 1-0 edge.

The Brewers made it a 2-0 margin nearly 30 minutes in after Barratt Heitmann sent a bullet shot in on goal, which was saved on a dive by Leppo. The rebound darted out quickly at the left corner, where freshman forward Owen Fauth (Keene, NH) was there to bury it into the goal. VC held a commanding 15-1 edge in shots for the opening frame, forcing Leppo to make six stops, several of which were highlight reel material.

Second half action opened with a solid defensive stance on both sides. Vassar gained the advantage in the 61st minute following a scramble in front of the Bard net. The ball sailed in past the goal on a cross, forcing Leppo to punch the ball out. The rebound sailed out to the top of the box for freshman Ryan Lane (Santa Monica, CA), who ripped a low shot in past the keeper for the third tally.

Vassar held a dominant 23-1 edge in shots, also owning a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks. In goal, Brewers senior Will Marment (Stamford, CT) was not forced to make any saves over 90 minutes for the win. Leppo recorded nine stops in defeat.

The Brewers return to the pitch on Wednesday, hosting Berkeley College (NY) at 4pm on Gordon Field. Bard is also in action on Wednesday, hosting Purchase College at 7pm.