October 29th, 2009 Vassar Over St. Lawrence
POUGHKEEPSIE – Following 65 minutes of scoreless play, the Vassar College women’s soccer team found the back of the goal twice in the span of just over five minutes, picking up a 2-0 win over St. Lawrence University on Saturday at a wet Gordon Field.
The Brewers improve to 8-7, 2-4 in the Liberty League. Unfortunately for Vassar, however, a Hamilton win over Union on Saturday erased Vassar’s shot at the postseason. The Brewers will host Clarkson University tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in their final home game of the year. The Saints fall to 8-6-3, 1-4-1, and will head to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for a 1:00 p.m. game tomorrow.
With the field sodden following a day of rain, both teams struggled to string together passes, as the ball traveled with unpredictable speed every time it hit the wet grass.
The Brewers finally solved the conditions and got on board in the 66th minute off a direct kick from junior Elysa Greenberger. From the left side about 25 yards out, Greenberger sent the ball across the field towards the box. Sophomore Alix Zongrone outran her defender and poked a header into the net past Saints goalie Abby van Geldern, Zongrone’s fourth goal of the year.
Vassar tacked on a second goal just 5:07 later. Junior Carolyn Demougeot settled the ball on the left side about 18 yards out and sent a cross towards the box. The pass sailed through the box and Allison McManis raced onto the ball practically near the end-line. The junior midfielder managed to angle a shot back towards the net, slipping it just past van Geldern for her seventh goal of the season.
The Saints nearly got on goal with just under 14 minutes to play, as sophomore Kristina Peso muscled her way past multiple Vassar defenders to unleash a close range shot on goal. Freshman goalie Ali Higgins dove to knock the ball down but was unable to grab it and it trickled back into play, however the Saints were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
The Saints opened the game with pressure, as a shot by Peso just 48 seconds into the first half sailed just wide of the net. A little over seven minutes into play, the Saints again nearly got on the board as senior Meg Howard threaded a pass to Peso. Peso maneuvered around her defender and had a one-on-one with Higgins, who came out to smother the ball before Peso could get a shot off. Higgins again made a spectacular stop in the 12th minute as sophomore Elizabeth Lucas beat out her defender at the top of the box and made a beeline towards the goal. However, Higgins rushed out and made a diving block to prevent the certain goal.
Although the Saints recorded the first three shots of the half, the momentum shifted halfway through the period as Vassar ended the half with a 7-3 advantage in shots. In the 22nd minute, senior Anna Robinson got a great look on goal as junior Rachel Shea tapped a ball back to her around the 18-yard line, but her powerful shot went right van Geldern. The Brewers had their best chance of the half with 10 minutes to play, as freshman Keiko Kurita received a pass from Robinson just outside the 18-yard box and lofted a shot on net that sailed just over the crossbar.
The Brewers held a 13-9 advantage in shots. Despite not scoring a goal for Vassar, Robinson had an impressive day and kept the St. Lawrence defense busy with five shots, four on goal.
Higgins recorded four saves in the win, while van Geldern also made four stops. |
