POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 17, 2009) -- It was all hands to the pumps as Vassar struggled to put a team on the field against Dartmouth College. Co-captain Nathalie duRivage had not recovered from the flu, Ami Major was unavailable, Brianna Blackwood-Mallory was sick, Shanaye Williams was unavailable, and with seniors Morandi Hurst and team captain Lorraine DeGraffenreidt out for the season it was looking decidedly bleak. But a number of freshmen stepped up and played with plenty of spirit that in the end was just enough.

Vassar College Women 25 v Dartmouth College Women 20
Tries: Kate Hancock (1), Laura Howard (1), Willa Conway (2).
Cons: Kate Hancock (1).
Pens: Kate Hancock (1).

The opening 20 minutes saw Vassar go through plenty of phases and they worked hard to get good field position. Keri Peacock was in the thick of all the action, running with the ball, distributing, or hounding the opposition with tackles. She had an outstanding game and was the foundation for the Vassar team. Willa Conway also had a good start getting over the gain line and always threatening to break through the Dartmouth defense.

It was from a turnover and two quick rucks that Vassar earned their first try. The key was very quick ball that Peacock passed to Kate Hancock before the Dartmouth defense was organized. Hancock scampered over in the left corner and Vassar led 5-0.

The Dartmouth scrum looked solid and in fact they stole a couple early put-ins against the head. But when they moved the ball wide they had a few handling errors that put a halt to their continuity.  Vassar was next to score when Keri Peacock alertly took a quick tap penalty and passed to right wing Laura Howard who ran in untouched. Earlier in the season Howard had been held up in-goal but this time she made no mistake!

Dartmouth had a spell of pressure just before the close of play at the half but some good tackling kept them at bay and the score was 10-0 after 40 minutes.

Dartmouth scored after about 2 minutes of play in the second half and it was an opportunist try to be sure. At a scrum the Dartmouth flanker picked up the ball and when it was moved wide Vassar managed to get a steal. But the ball was dropped in the center and Dartmouth swooped on the loose ball. Good support followed and the score was 10-5. Vassar responded very quickly and Willa Conway scored when she burst through the middle and the Kate Hancock conversion made it 17-5.

At the ensuing kick-off Vassar's Julia Rossi failed to find touch and Dartmouth held the ball for multiple phases as they moved the ball left and right across the field. Eventually, a scrum with a Vassar put-in looked like they might clear their lines but the clearance kick from Hannah Bober was charged down and moments later Dartmouth had scored and it was 17-10.

The visitors now ran more confidently and it coincided with some very timid tackling by the Vassar players. Once again it was a kick that did not find touch that led to Dartmouth's next score. Keri Peacock came down the narrowside and put in what looked a decent kick ahead, except that it stayed in play and was gathered by the Dartmouth fullback. She open play up and after some good offloads it was 5 more points to the visitors. At 17-15 it looked like the game was slipping away from Vassar.

Just 10 minutes remained and Vassar was looking less effective in the rucks and could not maintain possession. Dartmouth surged forward and was met by some stiff Vassar tackling but credit to the New Hampshire school for they kept the ball alive as is their want and they scored under the posts to go up by 3 points.

Vassar quickly got in to the Dartmouth 22 and was awarded a penalty right in front of the posts. Kate Hancock slotted the 3-pointer and it was 20-20 with just 6 minutes left to play. After the re-start Dartmouth gave away a couple of penalties for coming in from the side and it meant Vassar was able to get deep into the visitors half. From a lineout, well taken by Amanda Waterhouse, the ball reached Willa Conway and the strong running center was able to break through for the winning score. Vassar had the win 25-20.

Despite being Fall Break there were a good crowd at the field including members of the Vassar men's team, as well as family, and friends at the game. The team is very grateful for their support.

Team: 15 Julia Rossi 14 Laura Howard 13 Emma Backe 12 Willa Conway 11 Kate Hancock 10 Hannah Bober 9 Keri Peacock 1 Krissa Wiechmann 2 Alyssa Bell 3 Patty Walton 4 Nicole Guerrero 5 Kim Beaudoin 6 Amanda Waterhouse 7 Lucy Cantwell 8 Mariko Yoshimura-Rank.

Overall record 2009-10: 4-2-1.
Next weekend: Saturday October 24, 2009 versus Army Women, kickoff 11:00 am. (N.B. This KO time may be moved to 12:30 pm – to be announced.)

Vassar College Women “B” 0 v Dartmouth College Women “B” 20

Depleted numbers makes it hard to win "B" games so first and foremost a huge thank you to those players who doubled-up so that all could get a game. The tackling was way above average and a number of players distinguished themselves. Jansyn Thaw, Nicole Guererro, and Annie Creech come to mind as they either bulldozed down an opponent or dragged then down from behind. The scrums were solid enough although fatigue must have played a part. Dartmouth conjured 2 tries in each half to win 20-0 but it was by no means a one-sided affair.

Team: 15 Laura Howard 14 Vanora Estridge 13 Annie Creech 12 Caitlin Bull 11 Lucy Cantwell 10 Hannah Bober 9 Jansyn Thaw 1 Sharon Onga Nana 2 Krystal Cashen 3 Patty Walton 4 Krissa Wiechmann 5 Kim Beaudoin 6 Katie Merlie 7 Laura Saiz 8 Nicole Guererro. Subs: Amanda Waterhouse for Katie Merlie.