POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Senior attack Joe Nutting scored a man-up goal at 2:30 of overtime to lift Keene State College to a 10-9 victory over Vassar College in Tuesday night action on Weinberg Turf Field. The Owls move to 1-2 on the season, while the Brewers slip to 1-2 overall.

It was a tight game into the fourth quarter as Vassar took a 9-7 lead on a score by junior attack Riley Olds, but the Owls battled back as freshman attack Rex Maccarini buried a feed from Nutting on the man-up at 6:17. Keene State answered six seconds later as junior attack Cooper Cioffi buried a shot – once again assisted by Nutting to knot the game at 9-all with 6:11 remaining.

Both teams had a number of quality chances right up until the end of regulation but neither could capitalize. Sophomore attack Troy Santise banked a shot in but it clipped just wide and the Brewers turned over the ball, gaining it back on the ensuing clear. The next possession saw sophomore attack Ian Zumpano fire in a shot that also went wide with just 24 seconds left, but Vassar was unable to get another shot off.

In the overtime session, the Owls turned over the ball following a faceoff win, but the Brewers were unable to convert. Following a Vassar timeout, the home team turned it over and was then flagged for a penalty to set up the game-winning play.

Carrying the ball around the back of the net, Nutting flipped it to sophomore attack Andrew Miller a few yards away and crossed from behind to the side of the post. He got the pass back from Miller, slipping it in at the feet of Vassar goalie Aidan Gallagher for the win.  

Keene State opened the game with a 2-0 lead before the Brewers battled back with three straight to grab a 3-2 lead in the first. The Owls regained the advantage in the second frame taking a 5-4 lead into the intermission.

In the third quarter, Keene State held a 7-5 lead, but the Brewers answered once again as senior midfielder Connor Deehan, Zumpano and Olds each tallied for the 9-7 lead setting up the drama for the remainder of the contest.

Nutting led all scorers with two goals and three assists for five points, adding two ground balls. Miller had two goals with a helper and a ground ball, while Cioffi had a goal and an assist. Senior defender Shane Molloy posted a game-best seven ground balls with two caused turnovers, while also going 8-of-13 on the face-off. Senior defender Travis Hamilton posted a game-high four caused turnovers. In goal, senior Chase Chamberlin earned the win with six saves.

For the Brewers, Olds finished with two goals and two assists with a ground ball and a caused turnover. Santise notched a goal and a helper, while Deehan also added a goal and an assist. Junior long stick midfielder Dillon Dierman recoded four ground balls, while sophomore faceoff specialist Thomas Cameron went 13-of-23 in the circle with a team-best five ground balls. In goal, Gallagher recorded eight saves and scooped up four ground balls with two caused turnovers.

Vassar went 17-of-24 on the clear, while Keene State held a slight edge in shots (32-30), shots on goal (18-15) and ground balls (31-30).

The Brewers return to action on Saturday when they host Emerson College at 1pm on Weinberg Turf Field.