DANBURY, CT — The Vassar College men’s soccer team rallied to take its season opener versus Western Connecticut State University on the road Thursday, 3-1.
WCSU took a 1-0 lead before Vassar junior Tanner Sands scored two goals on a pair of penalty kicks. Freshman Mattie Mrlik added a third goal for the Brewers to close scoring in the second half.
Vassar goalkeeper Matt Marcelino earned the win with three saves, while Luca DiCarlo took the loss with five stops after 90 minutes of play.
The Colonials got on the board first in the 26th minute, thanks to a goal by sophomore forward Chauncy Allers. Less than a minute later, the Brewers enacted revenge, knotting the game at one on a Sands penalty kick goal. Sands added another penalty kick score in the 42nd minute when he chipped a floater just underneath the crossbar, giving Vassar a 2-1 lead at the break.
Both teams had chances to score throughout the contest, but Mrlik was the only one to capitalize in the second half. Jose Novas bent a cross to Mrlik, who fired into the open side of the net.
WCSU took twice as many corner kicks, 6-3, and took just as many shots as Vassar, 13-13.
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