ITHACA, NY – The fourth-seeded Vassar College Field Hockey team fell 3-0 to top-seeded #25 Ithaca in the Liberty League Championship semifinals on the road on Friday afternoon. Vassar's season concludes at 11-7 overall.
The Bombers advance to the Liberty League Championship game on Sunday afternoon as Ithaca will play host to second-seeded William Smith, who defeated third-seeded Rochester 1-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Vassar earned an early penalty corner two and a half minutes into the opening quarter as senior Hailey Brigger fired a shot on goal that was saved by Ithaca goalkeeper Alex Clough.
- The Bombers picked up back-to-back corners but did not register a shot on goal as the first period ended scoreless.
- Ithaca scored the first goal of the game on a penalty corner with 4:12 remaining in the second quarter as Meara Bury tallied her eighth goal of the season on an assist from Brenna Schoenfeld following the insert from Emma Garver.
- The Brewers earned a corner about a minute later as a shot from senior Molly Zahnleuter was blocked and deflected just wide of the goal to keep the Bombers lead at 1-0 heading into the halftime break.
- With four minutes left in the third quarter, Natalie Descalso crossed a pass inside the arc and found the stick of Catherine Papa, who scored her third goal of the season to double its lead heading into the fourth period.
- Senior Juliana Ishimine threatened to cut the lead to one with 11:32 remaining but Clough made a strong save to keep it 2-0.
- The Bombers pushed its lead to 3-0 following a penalty corner as Descalso tallied her sixth goal of the year on the second assist of the game from Garver with seven minutes left in the fourth.
FOR THE BREWERS
- Brigger, sophomore Sofia Beseth and Ishimine each recorded a shot on goal.
- Dumaresq took the loss in goal in 45 minutes of action while first year Grace Wiley played the final 12 minutes in net.
FOR THE BOMBERS
- Descalso recorded a goal and an assist while Papa and Bury each added a goal.
- Garver registered two assists and Schoenfeld also picked up an assist.
- Clough earned the victory in net as she made three saves.