POUGHKEEPSIE – Senior Madison Bouggess scored twice 55 seconds apart early in the first half and it proved to be enough as the Vassar College Women’s Soccer team knocked off #8 Ithaca Saturday afternoon on Senior Day. Prior to their final regular season home games, the Brewers honored Bouggess along with teammates Riley Lipman, JD Reigrut, Allie Foote, Noelle Namba and London Wilkes.
Saturday’s win over the Bombers pushes Vassar to 9-2-4 overall on the season and 4-1-2 in conference play, while Ithaca slips to 10-2-3 overall and 5-2-0 in Liberty League action.
With three points in the conference standings, Vassar vaults into a tie for third-place and is just a point behind Ithaca and three behind William Smith for the top spot.
All the scoring took place on Saturday inside the first five minutes of the contest.
Ithaca broke through first when Sarah Sinnott finished off a pass from Kaelyn Fernandez at 2:52 to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.
The advantage did not last long as Bouggess brought Vassar even just over a half minute later.
After forcing a turnover, Bouggess surged to the goal and buried the equalizer at the 3:24 mark of the tilt.
Before the teams could settle in to the 1-1 contest, Bouggess took a pass from Riley McGrath and deposited her second goal of the game at 4:19 with what proved to be the game winning goal.
Vassar would get back-to-back shots from Alice Crowley in the 11th minute but would then go the remainder of the half without an attempt.
Ithaca outshot Vassar 11-4 in the opening period.
Reigrut made a single save before halftime to maintain the one-shot lead for the Brewers.
First half corner kicks went to the Bombers, 6-2.
Ithaca finished the second half with a 9-6 advantage in shots.
The Bombers best chance came in the 55th minute when a shot got behind Vassar keeper, Laura Shea, but was knocked away by the defense.
Shea added as save of her own in the 65th minute to keep the Brewers in front.
The final shot of the game came off the foot of Ithaca’s Zara Nourie in the 78th minute.
Ithaca held a slim 2-1 edge in second half corner kicks.
For The Brewers
Bouggess scored her fifth and sixth goals of the season, including the first game winning goal of the year, moving into second on the team in markers and points with 12.
McGrath recorded her third assist of the season and stands in third place on the team in points with 11.
Crowley led the team with three shots, putting two on frame.
Bouggess joined Crowley with a pair of shots on goal.
Reigrut earned the win in goal with a single first half save.
Shea came on to play the final 45 minutes and added a stop for the Brewers.
For The Bombers
Sinnott scored her team leading ninth goal of the season.
Fernandez helped on her first goal of the year.
Fernandez and Nourie each led the team with five shots.
Grace Hickey suffered the loss in goal with three saves.