Senior forward Brian Gilloran scored twice as the nationally-ranked No. 9 St. Lawrence University men's soccer team topped Liberty League opponent Vassar College 2-0 at Sandy MacAllaster Field on Friday evening. The Saints improved to 8-1 overall with a 1-1 record in the conference, while the Brewers dropped to 6-4, 1-1.

"It is important that we got a win today, especially after the way we lost to Vassar last year," said St. Lawrence head coach Bob Durocher. "I thought we possessed the ball well, but we had a little down time in the second part of the first half. I also thought we broke out well, but we are still looking for our first goal on a break out."

St. Lawrence opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Gilloran scored his third goal of the season. Junior Andrew Bednarsky beat his defender on the left side of the end line and found freshman Ryan Grant in the middle of the 18 yard box. Grant shot the ball towards the right post where Gilloran made a sliding play to put the ball past Vassar's goalkeeper Ryan Grimme.

Gilloran scored his second goal of the game and fourth of the season just two minutes into the second half. Grant again earned the assist as he played the ball from the right side of the end line to the top of the 18 yard box. Gilloran hit a hard shot into the far left corner of the net to bring the score to its final 2-0.

Vassar had several solid chances throughout the game. The first was around the 35:00 minute mark when Tom Wiechart received a ball that was served over the Saints defense on the right side and took a shot near the end line, but senior goalkeeper Nate Goss-Woliner was there to make the save. About a minute later, Justin Mitchell found Dante Varotsis open in the 18 yard box off a corner kick, but Varotsis' shot was blocked by the Saints defense.

Vassar had one more solid chance nearing the end of the first half on a free kick. Mitchell served the ball into the 18 yard box where Wiechart one-touched a shot over the goal.

Vassar held a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks, while the teams both took 13 shots each in the game. Goss-Woliner made two saves in the shutout, while Grimme had three saves for the Brewers.

The Saints will take on Bard College tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 pm, while the Brewers travel to Clarkson University for a game against the Golden Knights.