POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Capitalizing on a pair of second-half goals, the Vassar women's soccer team posted a 2-0 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Liberty League action on Wednesday at Gordon Field. With the victory, the Brewers move to 9-5-1 and are now 4-3-1 in league play. The Engineers slip to 4-6-4 with a 1-5-2 Liberty League record.
After a scoreless opening half, the action picked up quickly in the second half for both teams. Vassar nearly got its first score of the game in the 50th minute as the Brewers were awarded a penalty kick. Senior forward
Skylar Herrera-Ross took the shot, but a diving save at the left corner by RPI sophomore keeper Megan Wampner kept it scoreless.
The Engineers nearly capitalized 12 minutes later as senior forward Whitney Wisnom headed the ball in at the Vassar net from close range. Sophomore goalie
Claire Mackenzie made the stop, but the ball caromed out as RPI forward Veronica Martinez de Pinillos banked it in. Despite the attempt, the goal was waived off due to the Engineers being called offsides.
Less than three minutes later, Vassar was once again awarded a penalty kick after a handball in the box by RPI. Lining up for the shot was junior midfielder
Violet Munnelly, who sent it high, clanking it off the crossbar and in for the 1-0 advantage.
Following a flurry of shots on the RPI net, Vassar connected once more in the 78th minute as rookie
Madison Bouggess corralled the ball down low outside the right end of the box. Making a quick turn, she chipped it up to classmate
Allie Foote, who made a quick move around a defender before rifling a long high shot up over the reach of Wampner for the two-goal edge.
Wisnom nearly put RPI on the board in the 83rd minute, but Mackenzie was once again there to make the point-blank save, holding strong as the Brewers recorded the victory.
In goal, Mackenzie stopped three shots to move to 4-1-0 on the season. Wampner stopped nine shots and is now 0-3-0 on the season.
Both teams conclude the regular season on Saturday as Vassar travels to Ithaca for a 2pm contest while RPI hosts Clarkson at 4:30pm. The Brewers game at the Bombers will determine a playoff berth for the upcoming Liberty League Tournament.