Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Despite scoring four straight goals to open the second half, Vassar’s women’s lacrosse team needed a late-game defensive stand to preserve a one-goal lead and defeat Liberty League rival Rensselaer, 7-6.  The Brewers are now 6-2 overall and 2-1 in Liberty League play, while the Red Hawks fall to 2-5 and 0-2.

In a game of runs, RPI battled back from a 7-2 deficit with 11:31 to play, beginning with a free position goal from junior Morgan Wahl (Lexington, MA/Lexington). Fellow junior Carly Strife (Ballston Spa, NY/Saratoga Springs) followed up with a pair of unassisted goals, and Carly Mahoney (Topsfield, MA/Masconomet Regional) pulled the Red Hawks to within one with a line drive goal with four minutes to play in the game.

With less than three minutes remaining, RPI threatened to tie the score. For nearly a minute and a half, the Red Hawks surrounded the Brewers goal, looking for a scoring opening. Vassar's defense held its position and goalie Ariel Nelson (Greenlawn, NY/Harborfields) forced a turnover with 1:06 to play. Vassar maintained control of the ball for the remainder of the game.

The Brewers had taken their 7-2 second half lead behind four straight goals, including two from junior Christine Castellan (Media, PA/Penncrest). Sophomore Christine Eaccarino (Old Saybrook, CT/Old Saybrook) had a pair of assists in the run.

The game began slowly, with just a single shot in the opening five minutes of the first half. Wahl scored the first goal of the game at 24:14, taking a pass from Mahoney. Castellan quickly followed with a goal to tie the score at one, and the Brewers added another two goals to go up 3-1. With only five seconds remaining in the half, Morgan Shea (Willimantic, CT/St. Bernard) scored a free position goal to pull the Red Hawks within one point at 3-2 entering the half.

Castellan led all players with three goals and four points. Strife and Wahl each had a pair of goals for RPI.