By Tony Brown
Head Coach

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 8, 2007) -- As season openers go this one had its fair share of knock-ons, poor passes, and rusty play. Air Force had played on Friday against Army at West Point's $6 million dollar rugby facility, Anderson Field, so they could be forgiven as no doubt they were sore and tired. Vassar was fresh but nervous as this was their first game since last April. In an absorbing yet slow paced game the final 3 minutes saw 3 scores and a rollercoaster of a finish.

Vassar College Women 20 v Air Force Academy Women 19
Tries: Elise Okusami (1), Alex Milne (1), Meredith Kendall (1).
Cons: Alex Milne (1).
Pens: Alex Milne (1).

Vassar hosted Air Force Women at the Farm and under a sunny sky they made the best of starts. The Brewers established field position in the Air Force half and put them under immediate pressure. The scrums and lineouts functioned well enough and from a forward drive Elise Okusami got the ball and drove over to put Vassar 5-0 up. After 15 minutes a lovely break by Alex Milne right up the middle was just the ticket for the home team as they went up 12-0 with the successful conversion. Vassar suddenly realized that this game was theirs for the taking! They had to continue to harass the visitors and jump on the mistakes. But Air Force also stepped up their game and got right back in to the game late in the first half with a break away try down the right wing. Vassar's Morandi Hurst on the left wing moved in to make a tackle and was beaten by the pass so it was Vassar 12 and the Academy 7.

Vassar squandered a wonderful try scoring opportunity when Laura Redden decided to pass rather than run in herself and the pass was forward.

In the second half Air Force began to dominate territorially and Vassar defended desperately. Jenica Law at fullback made a couple of try saving tackles that any NFL linebacker would have been proud of and Hurst too was fearless. A third freshmen, Keri Peacock was having a blinder as well. Thrown in to the pivotal scrumhalf position she was outstanding. Yes, some passes didn't have the right address, and certainly she needs to see the field a bit more, but overall she tackled and played her heart out.

As in the first half a certain try went begging when Milne fed Redden right in front of the posts but the ball was high and knocked on. It seemed that Vassar was letting this game slip away.

Air Force, trailing 12-7, scored a try and converted it to go ahead 14-12 and with the way the second half had gone they seemed to be in the drivers seat. Vassar heads went down and it did not look good for the home team. Vassar was being hurried into kicks and could not break out in to the Air Force half. But following a good kick-off they were now within striking distance.

And so to the grand finale. Just 3 minutes remained with Vassar behind 14-12. Vassar was in the cadets 22 and when the defenders strayed offside Alex Milne coolly slotted the penalty. 15-14 Vassar led. But the Air Force sharply took the kick-off as Vassar was still wandering back into their own half to set up and receive the ball. A deep kick led to a scramble near the goal line and a penalty to Air Force. A quick tap and they plunged over to go up 19-15. Vassar restarted and when they were awarded a penalty after the Air Force was guilty of shepherding, Elise Okusami tapped the ball, ran upfield and passed to lock Meredith Kendall. The lanky hard working lineout guru took long strides and never looked like going the 25 yards to the goal line! Perhaps Air Force was thinking the same thing for when she changed direction a tad no-one came to tackle her and she plopped over the line! An awesome play to give Vassar victory. Milne attempted the conversion but the miss was of no concern as the final whistle blew. Brewers 20, Zoomies 19.

It was a fitting scoreline to baptize the brand new scoreboard built by Poughkeepsie resident, Vassar neighbor, and supporter of Vassar Athletics, Mr. Bill Byrne.

Team: 15 Jenica Law 14 Lorraine DeGraffenreidt 13 Laura Redden 12 Alex Milne 11 Morandi Hurst 10 Elise Okusami 9 Keri Peacock 1 Susannah White 2 Hannah Roth 3 Becca Marcus 4 Meredith Kendall 5 Andrea Listenberger 6 Keke Hopson 7 Michelle Labas 8 Dani Goodman-Levy. Subs: Alexis Liakos for Susannah White, Natalie duRivage for Becca Marcus.

2007-08 Record: 1-0-0

Next week: Saturday September 15, 2007 Sacred Heart at Vassar College Farm.