POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 5, 2008) – In a must win divisional game the Vassar College men's rugby team defeated Stony Brook University, 12-10, on Sunday at the Vassar Farm. Tries were scored by sophomore Connor O'Neill (Lancaster, PA/Penn Manor) and freshman Ryan Keeble (Bourton, UK/The Cotswald School) to give the Brewers their victory. A much improved Stony Brook side had a chance to win it right at the end but missed a penalty kick. The win brings the Brewers to above the .500 mark, with a 3-2 record, 3-1 in the Met NY division.

It went right down to the wire with Stony Brook University and the visiting Seawolves can consider themselves a tad unlucky. Vassar came from behind 10-7 in this contest to earn a 12-10 win but it was an even contest throughout.

Vassar College Men 12 v Stony Brook University Men 10
Tries: Conor O'Neill (1) & Ryan Keeble (1).
Cons: Stanislav Genchev (1).

Vassar rugby alumni may look at this score and be surprised because in the past few years Vassar has recorded big wins against Stony Brook. What should be stated is that Stony Brook are an up and coming program. Their head coach, George Yasso, is doing a good job and the team is disciplined, athletic, and have been a handful for every opponent they have faced this year.

So Vassar had to fight tooth and nail throughout this game. The Brewers knew their season was on the line for a second divisional loss would probably have spelt no Northeast playoff spot. Stony Brook had plenty of the ball and they managed to gain some good yards at times. But they tended to slip up and give away penalties that allowed Vassar to push them back.

Connor O'Neill moved to flyhalf for this game given the injuries to Conor Boylan and Omar Fayyaz. He scored Vassar's first and only try of the first half running a good line after some quick recycled ball from the forwards. Garrett Montgomery was back at scrumhalf this week and he was a power of strength remaining calm and distributing the ball to runners.

So Vassar led 7-0 at the half but after some intense running off the fringes Stony Brook bulldozed over. Ryan Keeble playing at fullback attempted a clearance kick that went nowhere and the scores were tied at 7-7.

Stony Brook kept up the pressure and then elected to kick a penalty and they went ahead 10-7. Matters did not look good for Vassar but they kept plugging away. The lineout was proving difficult as Frodell was constantly being called for not straight and it appeared that the Stony Brook defense might hold.

But Ryan Keeble went up to center, his preferred position, and Miles Fineburg went to fullback when Stanislav Genchev had to come off. Keeble wasted no time in making amends for his earlier kick. He took a pass from Schmidt and then stepped away to score. Montgomery was unsuccessful with the conversion.

The never say die attitude of the visitors almost paid off as they had a penalty right at the end to win the game but the kicked was pulled wide.

Although a low scoring game it had been a good game to watch and while Vassar got the win Stony Brook picked up a bonus point.
Team: 15 Ryan Keeble 14 Roku Fukui 13 Stanislav Genchev 12 Nick Schmidt 11 James Purtle 10 Connor O'Neill 9 Omar Fayyaz 1 Winston Clement 2 Kevin Frodell 3 Rhys Bambrick 4 Mario Arthur-Bentil 5 Rupert Johnson 6 Aly Massoud 7 Will Thanhauser 8 Iain Gordon. Subs: Michael See for Rhys Bambrick, Miles Fineburg for Stanislav Genchev.
Overall record 2008-09: 3-2-0.
Next weekend: Sunday October 12, 2008 at Fairfield University, kickoff 1:00 p.m.

Vassar College Men "B" 15 v Stony Brook University Men "B" 14
Tries: Ryan Keeble (2).
Cons: Adam Steel (1).
Pens: Adam Steel (1).

In the dying minutes of this hard physical encounter Vassar was awarded a penalty about 30 yards out and toward the left hand touchline. The Brewers were down by 2 points at 14-12 and captain Danny Thomas elected to kick for goal. Up stepped rookie Adam Steel who earlier had almost been cut in two when he was tackled running down the blindside. Cool as a cucumber or perhaps as cold as Steel the freshman slotted the penalty and Vassar were in front. They defended staunchly for the remainder of the game and finished winners.

The Vassar team had 8 freshmen playing and they showed real character to come from behind and win this game. They certainly can thank Ryan Keeble who filled in for the injured Paul Tkaczuk as he scored 2 lovely tries. But this was a massive team effort.

Up front Barrington Archer, Hal Moore, and Alex Koechlin were rock solid in the scrums. Dave Chase was his usual bothersome self around the field and Tyler Blake continues to develop as a good lock. Kaedin Jemiolo was busy at number 8 with #C.J. LeSueur and Andrew Massey# tackling well on the flanks.

Miles Fineburg threatened from flyhalf and showed he is getting back to fitness.

Vassar led 7-0 after Keeble's first try and then led again 12-7 in the second half. But Stony Brook deservedly scored and led 14-12 before that man Steel stole the show.

It should be noted that the Vassar squad this year has added a total of 12 freshmen and all have the potential to play "A" side! If they stick with the sport for the next 4 years there will be plenty of good games at the Farm through to 2012. Get your corporate box tickets now!
Team: 15 Brian Carvajal 14 Tony Pinggera 13 Adam Steel 12 Ryan Keeble 11 Kornel Krysa 10 Miles Fineburg 9 Danny Thomas 1 Barrington Archer 2 Hal Moore 3 Alex Koechlin 4 Dave Chase 5 Tyler Blake 6 Andrew Massey 7 C. J. LeSueur 8 Kaedin Jemiolo. Subs: Roku Fukui for Ryan Keeble.