Field Hockey
In their first come-from-behind victory of the season, VC upset Liberty League rival and No. 9 University of Rochester 2-1 at home.
The Brewers went into halftime trailing 1-0 thanks to a converted penalty by the Yellowjackets in the 23rd minute of play. VC would flip the script in the second half of play however: in the 45th, sophomore Megan Caveny notched the equalizing goal off an assist by senior Emma Bracken following a penalty corner. The score would stay locked at 1-1 until the whistle for regular time blew.
In overtime, VC scored the winning goal after an unusual buildup with just over three minutes gone. Freshman Sam Plante, playing with just one cleat, spun away from a UR player and got a long pass off to Caveny, who connected on the volley from range to lift Vassar to a huge win.
On Saturday, Oct. 15 Vassar will host No. 11 Skidmore College at home on Weinberg Field at 2 p.m. for Senior Day, which will recognize Bracken, Sophie Arnold, Lauren Shumate, Hayley Beach and Flora Crichton-Stuart.
Men’s Soccer
The Brewers kept their stretch of good results going, picking up a 3-2 win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at home on Saturday.
Junior Alex Gonzales got scoring started just two minutes from kickoff, putting a headed pass from sophomore Tyler Gilmore into the back of the net. Senior captain Stephen Jennings scored off a breakaway 20 minutes later, pushing the scoreline to 2-0, which the Engineers would halve, scoring a deflected goal of their own in the 34th minute.
Gonzales made the margin two again for the Brewers after 14 minutes of play in the second half, as freshman Mattie Mrlik’s initial effort hit post and ricocheted out for the tap-in goal. RPI made a push, scoring 24 minutes from time to make things tight but VC held off the Engineers to walk away with the 3-2 conference win.
Vassar next hosts Rochester Institute of Technology on Friday at 4 p.m., and Hobart College on Saturday, at 2 p.m.
Men’s Rugby
The Brewers kicked off proceedings in high gear against SUNY Oneonta on Sunday at the Vassar Farm, as junior scrumhalf Trevor Kennish pushed three tries over the line in the first 25 minutes of play, converting two and putting Vassar up 19-0. Senior captain Seamus Taylor added a fourth try for VC, in response to an Oneonta score and conversion. Kennish connected on his conversion attempt and Vassar closed the first 40 up 26-7.
In the second half, Oneonta picked up a red and yellow card, eventually depleting their number of players on-field to 13. VC was able to take advantage, as Taylor, sophomore Charlie Hooghkirk, junior Nick Olkovsky and freshman Joe Griffen each got themselves over the line in the second half. Kennish went six for eight on conversion attempts for the day as VC pushed past Oneonta 52-22.
VC next takes the field away against New Paltz at 11 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 16.
Women’s Rugby
The Brewers, without six of their regular starters, scored 10 tries to ease past visiting Stony Brook University, 56-7, in action from the Vassar Farm. VC’s offense produced a hefty and, ultimately, insurmountable lead in the first half, going into the intermission leading 34-0. Despite being down a player due to a card, Stony Brook managed a try in the second half to avoid the shutout.
Senior Nathalie Freeman was the top scorer for Vassar as she ran through the Seawolf defense to record a hat trick. Sophomore Rachel Elson recorded a brace, while her classmate Jennie To went over the line for a try of her own, as did junior Abigail Alexander. Junior Sarah Mawhinney’s efforts were also good for the brace while senior Mary-Margaret McElduff scored a try and was good on three of her conversion attempts.
The Brewer B-side was also in action against Stony Brook as a mix of rookies and vets outclassed their opponents to the tune of 27-0. Junior Andrea Ramsay, freshmen Caroline James and Kayla Vasquez scored a try each, as did juniors Claire Fondrie-Teitler and Megan de Koning, while senior Ellen Quist added a conversion.
Women’s rugby plays again this Sunday versus Westchester University, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. at the Vassar College Farm.
Women’s Golf
Women’s golf competed in the George Phinney Golf Classic over the weekend, hosted by Middlebury at the Ralph Myhre Golf Course. The Brewers carded a 689 as a team and finished eighth out of 18 teams.
Freshman Andrea Han was exceptional for VC, as she finished tied for 19th place with a score of 166 for the weekend. Senior Emily Prince was one stroke off Han, finishing with a career-best score of 167, which included an 81 for her second round. Freshman Qiwen Tan finished the weekend with a 179 and tied for 39th place overall with teammate and junior Annie Hsu. Sophomore Evon Shay improved by 12 strokes in her second round, posting a two-day score of 196.
Vassar will next compete in the New York University Invitational this weekend in Suffern, NY at Spook Rock Golf Course.
Women’s Soccer
VC women’s soccer joined VCMS in beating RPI over the weekend. The Brewers recorded a comeback victory, 2-1, in overtime on the road Saturday against the Engineers.
Sophomore Rebecca Andrews continued her scoring ways, bringing VC level with RPI off a penalty kick in the 59th minute of play. Neither team was able to capitalize on any scoring opportunities for the remainder of play as the score remained 1-1 at the end of regulation. Less than a minute into overtime, junior Amanda McFarland slid the game winner into the bottom left corner past the fingertips of the RPI keeper. Senior Stephanie Tapolsky managed three saves during an extended shift in goal, only conceding an unlucky deflected ball.
VC remains undefeated through four conference games and sits tied with William Smith College for the No. 1 spot in the Liberty League.
Vassar has two more road games upcoming, against Rochester Institute of Technology on Friday and against William Smith on Saturday.
Women’s Volleyball
VC women’s volleyball rallied for a four-set victory on the road over the host Blue of Wellesley College Saturday afternoon. Vassar recovered from a sluggish start to record a 15- 25 25-18 25-20 25-19 win over a fellow Seven Sisters school. The Brewers, following their result against Wellesley, have now surpassed their win total from the entirety of last season.
Sophomore Devan Gallagher led the team in kills with 17. Freshman Jane McLeod was also big for VC, chalking up 15 kills and a team-leading 16 digs. Sophomore Annie MacMillan recorded 40 assist over four sets, senior Sierra Tobin was responsible for 15 digs playing the libero position, while freshman Jorden Schreeder had 10 digs on defense.
Vassar will host The Sage College Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in non-conference action from Kenyon Hall.
