SCHENECTADY, NY – Two first half goals and solid defense paced the Dutchmen soccer team to a 2-0 conference-opening victory against Vassar Friday at College Park Field. Senior netminder
Rob Kramer (Westport, CT) posted his third shutout of the season, stopping six shots, to help Union improve to 5-1-1 and 1-0-0 in the Liberty League. Vassar goes to 3-3-0 and 0-1-0.
Freshman midfielder
Teddy Steen (Worcester, MA) and freshman forward
Marc Zeyak (Valatie, NY) tallied the markers for Dutchmen. Steen's goal was his second of the season, while Zeyak's was his first.
Sophomore midfielder
Dan Dubrow (Woodbridge, CT) set up Union's first goal – the game winner – by playing a through ball to the streaking Steen down the right side. The freshman gained control and sent a floater over Vassar junior goalkeeper Jake London (Albany, NY) at 19:53.
Union struck again on another breakaway try when junior defender
Brendan Steiner (Madison, CT) sent a ball forward to Zeyak, who went low from 16-yards out at 44:32.
The two teams combined for three game-changing team saves. Junior midfielder
Jack Scott (Huntington, NY) was robbed at 35:00 when his try got by London but couldn't penetrate Vassar's defense on the goal line. Just over six minutes later Vassar junior defender Chris Nieminski (Syosset, NY) stopped Union again. This time senior midfielder
Alan Fox (Pittsford, NY) was denied first goal of the season.
The Dutchmen helped Kramer's cause at 60:40 when sophomore defender
Jamie MacDonald (Chester, NJ) stepped in front of a wide open shot from senior forward Jon Hootnick (Marblehead, MA).
Union finished with seven saves total, while Vassar posted 10, including eight from London. Vassar totaled seven corner kicks to Unions three, but the Dutchmen outshot their opponent 15-12.
The Liberty League schedule continues Saturday when Union hosts cross-town rival RPI at College Park Field at 2 p.m.
