SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Skidmore College men's lacrosse team picked up a key conference victory after shutting down Vassar in the second half to win 10-7 at Wachenheim Field on Saturday afternoon.

Led by a four-goal game from freshman Mike Aiello and a two-goal, and a stellar 14-of-21 performance on faceoffs from junior Jason Fastiggi, the Thoroughbreds (6-5, 2-2 Liberty League) overcame a slow start by quickly flipping the switch to lead the Brewers (4-8, 0-5 Liberty League) at halftime, before pulling away in the second half after allowing just two goals by the road team.

With the win, Skidmore now finds themselves in the thick of the five-spot Liberty League playoff race as the program stands solely in fourth with three games remaining on the schedule.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Brewers kicked off the game with a pair of quick goals to take a 2-0 lead at the 12:47 mark of the first quarter, before Skidmore responded with solo scores from the senior duo of Brian Gonsalves and Ryan Connolly to even the game back up at 2-2 with 6:16 on the clock.
• After Vassar retook the lead with a solo score of their own at the 3:10 mark, the Thoroughbreds immediately responded just six seconds later on a Jon Byrne goal off the assist from Fastiggi.
• Minutes later, with 17 seconds left in the quarter, Connolly struck again to flip the game and give Skidmore the 4-3 lead.
• Skidmore grew the lead to start out the second period by doubling up the Brewers after consecutive goals from Aiello and Gonsalves put the home team up 6-3 with 5:53 left on the clock.
• However, the momentum was halted as Vassar closed out the half with a pair of goals to cut the Skidmore lead down to 6-5 at intermission.
• At halftime, the Thoroughbreds led statistically with a 30-to-20 disparity on shots and dominated on faceoffs by going 9-of-13.
• It was all Thoroughbreds in the third quarter as the home team completely shut out Vassar on the defensive end, while scoring three goals in the period to take a commanding 9-5 lead into the final period. Aiello led the way by striking twice, while senior Tim Blue joined in with a man-up goal.
• The Brewers attempted to make a fourth-quarter comeback after scoring two goals at the 10:42 and 8:42 mark, cutting the Skidmore lead down to 9-7, but Aiello shut the door with a highlight-worthy putback goal off an initial Gonsalves shot attempt at the 8:02 mark.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Senior goalie Collin Kuester had a stellar performance at net after saving 17 shots for his fourth win on the season.
• Aiello had a game-high four goals on 11 shots and also picked up a groundball.
• Gonsalves finished with two goals and two assists apiece to go with two groundballs and a caused turnover.
• Connolly recorded two goals, one assist and a groundball.
• Fastiggi finished 14-of-21 on faceoffs while also picking up a team-high 10 groundballs and recorded an assist.
• Freshman Michael Dearborn finished with four caused turnovers and six groundballs.
• Senior Owen Quinn recorded four caused turnovers and a groundball.

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds are back at Wachenheim Field on Wednesday to host Union in a pivotal conference clash with playoff implications on the line. The start time is set for 5 PM.