ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The atmosphere was tense and playoff-like for Saturday's Liberty League men's soccer finale between Vassar and Bard.

There was a lot at stake for both teams. A spot in the conference playoffs was on the line for Vassar; a spot in the ECAC Tournament was on the line for Bard.

Vassar prevailed, holding off Bard, 2-0. It extended Vassar's season and ended Bard's.

It wasn't easy. It was a physical, intense match, and Vassar got the upper hand early.

In the 16th minute, the Brewers went ahead, thanks to some excellent ball work from Alex Gonzales (Aliso Viejo,CA). Gonzales took possession of the ball near the right side of the box, then juked and dribbled around Bard defenders to give himself space. Once he had enough of an opening, he sent a cross into the middle that found Toby Stansell's (Seattle, WA) head. Stansell was able to place the headed effort on frame and the ball sailed into the top left corner to give Vassar a 1-0 lead. 

Just over two minutes later, Vassar keeper Adam Warner (Tenafly, NJ) was called upon to make a great save off a Nick Shenberger deflection. It remained 1-0 at halftime, Vassar outshooting Bard, 11-7, at the break.

Vassar (12-3-2) had the better of the possession to start the second half, but Bard produced the only shots on goal, forcing Warner to stop one by Antonio Scanni and another by Austin Higgins about a minute apart, 13 or so minutes into the second half.

Bard's last, best chance to score came in the 84th minute, when defender Jake Cicero pressed forward and blasted a low shot from 20 yards that Warner dove to stop. He bobbled it a bit as he landed, and Shenberger was right there, but Warner hung on.

With Bard desperate to equalize, Vassar put the game away in the 87th minute, when Mattie Mrlik (San Francisco, CA) headed in a pass off a free kick.

Warner made six saves for Vassar; Taylor Bond made eight saves for Bard.

The Raptors finish the season at 6-8-3. It was the final game in the careers of David Mamukelashvili, Mark Mannara, Tamaki Chiba and Austin Higgins, who were honored pregame.

The 2016 men's soccer team set a school record by starting the season unbeaten through seven games. The Raptors went 5-1-3 in games outside of the Liberty League this fall.