POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. ­­– Freshman Mattie Mrlik netted a first half hat trick to lead the Vassar College men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in the Liberty League Semifinals on Saturday at Gordon Field. With the win, the Brewers improve to 13-3-2, while the Engineers conclude their season at 8-7-4.

Mrlik (San Francisco, CA/University) potted the game's first goal in the 12th minute, heading home a cross from the left flank by junior Hayden Van Brewer (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional). Mrlik redirected the ball off of the underside of the crossbar and in.

Vassar made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute, when junior Jose Novas (Miami, FL/Gulliver Preparatory) found Mrlik at the edge of the six-yard box. He turned and ripped a low shot past RPI freshman goalkeeper Matt LaBranche (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional).

The Brewers took advantage of a misplay on the Engineers back line in the 36th minute for a 3-0 lead. A long ball deflected into the RPI penalty area for Mrlik, who tucked home a right-footed shot for his 12th goal of the season.

Vassar took its 3-0 lead to break, along with a 13-1 advantage in shots.

Rensselaer quickly pulled to within 3-1, when senior Devon Baughen (Sarasota, FL/Pine View) played freshman Austin Betterly (Plymouth Meeting, PA/Plymouth Whitemarsh) in behind the Vassar defense. Betterly took one touch before slotting home his second tally of the year.

RPI had a handful of chances to add a second goal, but could not work a shot on frame.

A Baughen free kick from the top of the 18, in the 72nd minute, curled over the crossbar.

LaBranche (5-2-2) finished with two saves, while Vassar's Adam Warner (Tenafly, NJ/Tenafly) had one stop. Junior Ryan Nealon (Somers, NY/Somers) made one save in the final 27 minutes.

The Brewers will host Skidmore College in the Liberty League Championship Game on Saturday (TBA).