SCHENECTADY, NY – Union's Emma Schleimer scored in overtime to lift Union College past Vassar College in Liberty League Women's Soccer First Round action on Tuesday evening. The victory moves the third-seeded Dutchwomen to 9-7-2 on the season, while the sixth-seeded Brewers move to 9-7-1.
Union advances to the Liberty League Tournament Semifinals on Saturday, November 6 where they will take on second-seeded Ithaca at 1:30pm on the campus of Hobart & William Smith Colleges.
After a scoreless regulation that saw chances for both teams, it would be Union that capitalized. As Vassar attempted to clear the ball from the zone, Dutchwomen senior midfielder Emma Schleimer collected a pass and navigated back into the Vassar zone. Dribbling around two defenders, she found an open space and sent a long high shot into the left corner of the goal for the game-winner.
Both teams had early chances throughout regulation, including first half early action as Union junior defender Melissa Murphy sent a low center shot in that was saved by Vassar keeper
Claire Mackenzie in the seventh minute.
The Brewers had their own solid chance in the 10th minute as junior midfielder
Violet Munnelly fired in a low shot of her own, which was saved by Union's Abby Mitty. Murphy nearly played the hero once again for Union in the 29th minute. After her initial shot was blocked, Murphy was able to regain control, sending in another shot that went high right and out of play.
In the second half, rookie forward
London Wilkes had a solid shot drop in on the left corner, but Mitty was there make the stop in the 47th minute. Schleimer nearly put Union up during regulation, sending a shot in at the 82nd minute mark, but another solid stop by Mackenzie curbed the threat.
With less than a minute remaining, Vassar junior forward
Isabel Leinenweber had a strong chance to get the goal, but her shot went just wide, forcing the overtime session.
Union owned a 12-5 shot margin, but just a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Dutchwomen also had a 6-4 edge in corners for the contest.
In goal, Mitty earned the victory with three stops, while Mackenzie shouldered the loss with three saves of her own.
