Poughkeepsie, N.Y.- Two second half goals spelled out a tie as the Clarkson University Women's Soccer team drew 1-1 with Vassar, Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Knights move to 4-6-3 on the season, 1-3-2 in the league as the team closes out the 2024 season with three more Liberty League contests, all at Hantz Field.
Clarkson created a majority of the chances early on in the game with five shots in the first 20 minutes, two of them requiring saves from the Brewer's keeper. The hosts began to find their footing and work themselves back into the contest over the next 10 minutes, forcing Molly DiCaprio into two saves of her own in six minutes.
After a shot by Paige Ford that was saved and another attempt by Chloe Hodge in the 30th minute, Vassar was the only team that managed a shot in the final 15 minutes of the first half with an off-target attempt by Madison Bouggess.
Second half defending is an area that has plagued the Golden Knights continuously throughout the season and Vassar managed to capitalize early on in the second stanza. Just under three minutes into the half, steady pressure from the Brewers managed to open a scoring chance as Gianna Panarelli slotted a shot past DiCaprio, vaulting Vassar into a 1-0 advantage.
Vassar would continue a stream of pressure, winning three corner opportunities in just under eight minutes, asking questions of the Clarkson defense, which was determined to keep the lead at just one. Against the run of play, Clarkson struck back at the hosts with the game-tying goal in the 70th minute off an attempt from Chloe Hodge who recorded her third goal of the campaign.
Both teams went back-and-forth over the last quarter-hour with Vassar coming close to taking back the lead in the 85th minute off a barrage of shots in a tightly-packed box. The first two attempts were blocked before the third was fired towards the left of the goal, out of play.
DiCaprio stopped five shots in net for the Knights, while Laura Shea was called upon four times in goal for the Brewers.
Vassar held the advantage in shots (22-11), shots on goal (6-5) and corners (4-3) in a very offensive-minded contest.
