Vassar Brewers Win OT Thriller Over Union

POUGHKEEPSIE – Sophomore midfielder Gabi Tulk tipped a shot in on goal to lift the Vassar College women’s soccer team past Union College, 1-0 in overtime on Saturday at Gordon Field. The Brewers win their Liberty League opener and move to 4-4-1 overall, while the Dutchwomen are now 4-4-0 and 0-2-0 in league play. This marks the sixth straight season in which VC has either won or tied their conference opener, owning a 4-0-2 mark since the 2014 season.

With the Brewers pressing in the Union offensive zone, junior midfielder Emily Longo headed the ball up to senior middie Savannah Cutler, whose own header redirected the ball slightly toward the left post. Tulk (Chicago, IL) barreled in from the left side as the Union goalie dove out to make a stop on the loose ball, but it caromed past her. Tulk then battled with two Union defenders on the goal line as the ball rolled in for the game-winner in the 95th minute.

The contest saw no shortage of shots as Vassar owned a 16-10 margin for the contest.

Union opened the game with a number of opportunities, including a shot in the first six minutes off the corner. Sophomore forward Fiona Zimmerman (Niskayuna, NY) sent a shot in that was blocked, allowing for a corner kick by classmate and midfielder Bella Dworkin (Manchester, VT). The ball careened into the zone onto the foot of senior forward Linsay Giles (Bedford, MA), whose shot rang off the right post.

Vassar nearly answered in the 22nd minute as Tulk headed a shot just wide to the right off a Cutler corner kick. The Brewers saw another burst in the 33rd minute as senior Jordan Moss had her shot go just wide, and junior defender Brenna McMannon had her attempt blocked soon after.

Second half action opened with Union firing off a quick shot from Giles that was stopped by Vassar keeper Fiona Walsh in the 51st minute. The Brewers had three Cutler shots go wide before Moss was blocked and had the rebound shot go high.

Vassar owned the only two shots in overtime as Cutler went high on her fifth attempt of the contest, followed by the Tulk goal minutes later to seal the win.

In goal, Walsh earned the victory with three saves, while Union netminder Alison Sorkenn (River Edge, NJ) made one stop.