POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Vassar got a trio of goals from its freshmen class, while senior Emma Nichols secured her 13th career shutout as the Brewers defeated Renssealer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 3-0, Saturday afternoon. The win was a critical one for Vassar (8-5-2, 2-2-2 LL), as the squad remains alive in the Liberty League playoff hunt. RPI drops to 5-7-6 (1-3-3 LL) with the loss.

Vassar avoided an early deficit in the game at Gordon Field, after a shot from RPI's Kate Edwards forced a diving stop from Nichols in the third minute. The Brewers were able to generate some offensive pressure of their own, and finally broke through after a penalty kick was awarded in the 27th minute. Freshman Rebecca Andrews stepped up to take the shot, and buried it into the right corner to give VC a 1-0 edge.

The VC defense tightened up after allowing some early scoring chances, giving up just four shots to the Engineers in the half as the Brewers carried the 1-0 advantage into the break.

Vassar again weathered some early pressure from RPI in the second half, before doubling its lead with a goal from freshman Dahlia Chroscinski(Hummelstown, PA/Hershey) in the 61st minute.

Sophomore Amanda McFarland (Redwood City, Ca/Menlo) played a long arcing cross from the right wing, which Chroscinski powered into the net on a header to put her side ahead 2-0.

Freshman Sara Seper (New Hyde Park, NY/New Hyde Park Memorial) scored her first collegiate goal not long after, this time off a corner kick from McFarland on the right side. McFarland played another beautiful ball across the box, and Seper buried a header past the RPI keeper to give VC a three goal advantage.

The Brewers took care of business down the stretch, and kept RPI scoreless to give Nichols her school-record 13th career shutout.

RPI is back in action on Tuesday, when it hosts Skidmore at East Campus Stadium (7:30pm).