Vassar Brewers Women’s Soccer Plays to a Draw in League Opener

By Amie Canfield

POUGHKEEPSIE – Powered by a late goal from junior midfielder Jessica Young, the Vassar women’s soccer team posted a 2-2 tie against Rochester Institute of Technology on Saturday in Liberty League action at Gordon Field. The Brewers are now 4-2-1 on the season and 0-0-1 in league play, while the Tigers are 4-2-1 and 0-1-1 in the Liberty League.

Trailing by a 2-1 margin entering the 86th minute, Young scored the equalizer for the Brewers in unique fashion. Senior captain Sara Rubinelli fired in a long ball from just inside the midline, banking it to the right side as Young cut across. As the RIT goalie came out to play it, Young got the touch, battling with a defender as she fired it long past the keeper and into the open net.

Battling through the first overtime, the Brewers had several outstanding chances to win it, but just couldn’t get another past Tigers keeper Alyssa Salls. Among those chances was a header by senior captain Madio Wallner, who placed it perfectly in the box, but Salls was there for the quick grab.

RIT got the scoring started in the 24th minute after junior forward Christine Cataldo-Smith battled with a Brewers defender, getting a touch that richocheted wide left. Classmate and midfielder Erin Allor was there to bury the ball past Vassar’s Julia Reigrut for the 1-0 edge.

RIT added to its advantage in the second half as sophomore midfielder Jessica Gomez sent a free kick from the near side into the box. The ball took a bounce in front and Cataldo-Smith was there to put it in in the 52nd minute.

Junior midfielder Violet Munnelly recorded the initial Vassar goal, off a quick feed from rookie middie Noelle Namba.

Following a scrum in the box, the ball came out to the top where it bounced of various players. Namba slid in for the quick touch, knocking it to Munnelly – whose long shot sailed into the net.

Vassar paced the shot total for the game, owning a 20-6 margin, including a 10-2 shot on goal advantage. The Brewers also posted an 8-5 edge in corner kicks.

In goal, Reigrut did not make any saves, moving to 2-1-1 on the season with the tie. Salls also moves to 2-1-1, making eight saves on her side of the draw.

The Brewers return to action on Wednesday, traveling to Bard for a 7pm contest.