After a subpar start, the Geneseo field hockey team pulled off a huge upset over previously undefeated Vassar College 2-1. The Knights, who were 1-4 going into the game played at SUNY Brockport, finally played a full game. “We put two complete halves together,” head coach Jessica Seren said. “We hadn’t done that in the last two games. We came out from the start and we played hard from the first whistle to the last whistle.”
Geneseo jumped out to an early lead thanks to a goal in the 16th minute from sophomore defender Liz Doherty—a Second Team All-SUNYAC selection last season. Junior forward Kailey Suhr added a goal off of a cross from junior forward Sarah Malinak with less than 10 minutes left in the first half. A First Team All-SUNYAC selection in 2013, Malinak now has four assists this season.
This was the first time this season that Vassar had allowed more than one goal in a game. In fact, the Brewers hadn’t allowed a goal in their previous four games before facing Geneseo.
The Brewers did not go without their chances. Sophomore midfielder Emma Bracken had two shots right in front of the goal for Vassar in the 31st minute. Junior goalkeeper Dayna Mercer was able to save both opportunities.
This season has been tough for Geneseo. After graduating eight seniors last year and playing all of their games on the road so far this season, it was important to get a win over a quality team.
“We had been playing some tough competition up until [the game against Vassar],” Seren said. “We were really looking to … put all the things we’d been learning and working on into that game.”
With non-conference play all but over, the Knights now need to refocus and continue to play complete games. Though the team's record may not show it, Geneseo has the talent to get into the SUNYAC Tournament. The four home games in October, should only help their cause.
Geneseo opens up SUNYAC play on Saturday Sept. 20 against SUNY Morrisville, a team that has only won one game this season.