ALBANY, N.Y. – Visiting Vassar used a pair of second half goals to edge Russell Sage College 2-1 tonight at the ACP Athletic Complex.

Sophomore defender Courtney Bush (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen), who has earned a pair of Empire 8 Conference Defensive Player of the Week selections this fall, put the Gators on the board in the 22nd minute. Freshman midfielder Jaclyn Benedetti (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) registered the assist.

Vassar (7-2-2) tilted the pitch in the second half, outshooting RSC 11-2 during the final 45 minutes. The Brewers got on the board in the 48th minute on a goal by junior midfielder Noelle Namba. Sophomore midfielder Rebecca Rodriguez delivered the eventual game-winner in the 64th minute.

Junior goalkeeper Kierstin Lynch (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) (1-1-0) made four saves in defeat.

Tonight's result snapped a seven-game unbeaten streak for RSC (5-2-2).  The Gators return to E8 play on Saturday afternoon at Houghton.

Notes: Coming off a trip to the Empire 8 Conference Tournament Semifinals, more than 20 players and four all-league selections returned this fall…A Gator has earned weekly E8 awards five times this season…Senior forward Kennedy Jones (Albany, NY/Albany) was selected the E8 Player of the Week for the period ending Monday, September 4…The second-team All-E8 pick registered two goals and an assist to help RSC win its home opener vs. Nichols on September 2…Bush was chosen the E8 Defensive Player of the Week on two occasions, September 10 and September 25, this fall…Sophomore defender Olivia Badalucco (Rotterdam Junction, NY/Schalmont) took home E8 Player of the Week honors on September 18…She scored twice in the September 13 8-0 shutout of visiting SUNY Poly…The output was the most for the Gators in a single-game since 2017….Freshman goalkeeper Olivia Horan (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) was named the E8 Defensive Player of the Week on October 2…The rookie registered three saves across pair of conference clean sheets…Jones, Bush, senior forward Marissa Key (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury), and junior defender Amelia Geesler (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem Central) headlined the group of returnees.

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