Brewers' Comeback Bid Falls Short To RIT, 13-11

Recap, photo is courtesy of Vassar College

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The Vassar College women's lacrosse team nearly completed a comeback by scoring the final three goals of Friday's game, but the Brewers ultimately lost at home to the Tigers of Rochester Institute of Technology, 13-11.

With the loss, the Brewers fall to 5-7 overall and 1-5 in conference play, while the Tigers improve to 5-8 and 2-4 in the Liberty League.

Isabelle Goldstein led the offensive effort with seven points on five goals and two assists, as five Brewers found the back of the net. Julia Trudell scored a hat trick to go along with an assist, while Kim Mulvehill had a goal and two assists, Storm Sideleau notched a goal and an assist, and Olivia O'Loughlin finished with a goal.

O'Loughlin was also solid on the defensive end, picking up two ground balls, forcing a turnover and
winning two draw controls. Goldstein grabbed four ground balls, while Paige Abramowitz and Mulvehill each picked up three.

Goalkeeper Kristin Caolo took the loss with seven saves, while Sophia Wojnovich earned the win with 10, as the Tigers outshot the Brewers 28-27.

Leading the way for the Tigers was Emily Livechhi, who potted five goals. Sage Sarkis finished with four, while Nicole Bingo, Brooks Melnyk, Corrina Mandell and Maegen Schmauder each scored one.

Goldstein got the Brewers going early, scoring the first two goals of the contest, thanks to assists from Mulvehill and Trudell.

Livecchi scored first for the Tigers, seven minutes into the first half to trim the deficit to 2-1, but the Brewers responded with an additional three goals to take their largest lead of the game, 5-1.

Sideleau created her own shot for her 31^st goal of the season, Hankins helped O'Loughlin for her fourth, and Mulehill found Goldstein to cap the spurt.

RIT ended the first half on a high note, scoring the last two goals to get within 5-3 at the break. The Tigers carried that momentum into the second half, where they outscored the Brewers 4-1 to open the frame and take a 7-6 lead. Trudell scored Vassar's lone goal in that span, unassisted.

Goldstein put the Brewers back on top, 8-7, with her 26^th and 27^th goals of the season, but the Tigers answered with six straight goals, including one man-up goal.

Vassar struggled with penalties for most of the game, collecting four yellow cards and a red card, as RIT received just one yellow card with less than two minutes remaining in the second half.

Mulvehill scored her 19^th goal of the season to get the Brewers within 13-9 and to give her team hope for a comeback with less than seven minutes left.

Then with less than two minutes to go, Goldstein found Trudell twice to get within two, 13-11. They fought until the final whistle, but their comeback bid fell just short.

Vassar was efficient with turning defense into offense, converting on 15-of-18 clears. The Brewers also picked up more ground balls, 24-20.

Vassar women's lacrosse returns to action Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. The Brewers host the Yellowjackets of University of Rochester on Weinberg Field for Senior Day. Three seniors will be honored, as Paige Abramowitz, Isabelle Goldstein and Kim Mulvehill will be playing their final home game with the program.