The Bard College women's soccer team faced a top ten opponent in the AVCA Coaches Poll for the first time in four years on Wednesday afternoon, dropping the contest to the #10 Vassar Brewers on the road. The last time Bard played a top ten opponent was October 1st, 2022 at #5 William Smith.
Thayden Hamilton-Howard stopped an early attack from the Brewers, making back-to-back saves in the 8th minute. At the 8:58 mark, Hamilton-Howard kept the game scoreless with another save. After a fourth save in the 16th minute, Vassar broke through with a goal at the 16:18 mark, and added to its lead with another score in the 30th minute. Bard goalkeeper Hamilton-Howard was busy, finishing with four saves.
Julianna LaFond was also tested early, saving three shots in a span of four minutes. However, in the 60th minute, a give-and-go play inside the Bard box ended with a third Vassar goal. At the 72:19 mark, a Brewers' corner led to the fourth goal of the contest. Bard ceded another goal, but LaFond reached a career-high 10 saves in the second half.
Camila Sandaal, Kaia Brady, Alexandria Loner, Natalie Wing, and Goldie Siff all played the full 90 minutes.
Up next for the Raptors is a meeting with #17 William Smith on Saturday at 3 p.m. at home.
