POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 13, 2008) –The Vassar women's rugby team scored nine tries for the second consecutive week, but this time added five conversions as they defeated neighbors SUNY-New Paltz, 55-5, in their home opener at the Vassar Farm on Saturday. Sophomore Keri Peacock (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) scored three, as did captain Dani Goodman-Levy (Berkeley, CA/Berkeley) to lead the Brewers to their second win of the season.

Humid and Hot In Home Opener
The residents of Galvaston and Houston took a pounding from Ike this Saturday and although New Paltz had a few promising moments they too experienced some fearful times as Vassar ran in 9 tries and converted 5. Given the sticky weather it was a fair run out with players sweating heavily in the humidity but there were plenty of mistakes to give them cause for concern and focus the minds this week.

Vassar College Women 55 v SUNY - New Paltz Women 5

Tries: Dani Goodman-Levy (3), Keke Hopson (1), Allex Milne (1), Keri Peacock (3) & julia Nissen (1).
Cons: Alex Milne (3), Nicole Daddazio (2).

You can't fault this team for effort as they all ran with conviction and purpose. That was enough against a New Paltz team that went 14-3 last year and were in the playoffs for division II teams. But Vassar made far too many simple mistakes to feel complacent. Knock-ons plagued the team at kick-offs and early in loose play and better teams will punish those kind of errors.

Alana Melton at hooker took multiple strikes against the head and Meredith Kendall stole New Paltz lineout ball so Vassar dominated possession.

There were encouraging signs as Milne, Nissen, and Redden looked very comfortable with the ball in hand. They will face stiffer tests this season that's for sure but early signs are that they will compete strongly.

Vassar was able to launch attacks from the set piece and got over the gain line which put them on the front foot. The new laws at the scrum certainly allow for opportunities and Dani Goodman-Levy needed no second bidding. She and Peacock scored six of the Vassar nine tries and hopefully as the season goes on they will continue to enjoy such dividends.

So up front Vassar did well and there were good runs from Nissen and Redden in the centers. Julia Nissen played one of her best games in a Vassar jersey as she tackled, distributed, and ran well.

Next week Vassar open their divisional play hosting Yale at Vassar. They must improve again if they want to continue winning.
Team: 15 Nicole Daddazio 14 Jarra Munger 13 Laura Redden 12 Julia Nissan 11 Alyssa Bell 10 Alex Milne 9 Keri Peacock 1 Ami Major 2 Alana Melton 3 Natalie duRivage 4 Meredith Kendall 5 Hannah Roth 6 Alex Thom 7 Keke Hopson 8 Dani Goodman-Levy. Subs: Vicky Gonzalez for Ami Major, Suzanne Sweetnam for Natalie duRivage, Jane Manchon for Dani Goodman-Levy, Stephanie Rapp for Keri Peacock.

2007-08 Overall Record: 2-0-0
Next week: Vassar College Women v Yale University Women at Vassar College Farm, kick-off 1:00 pm.
Vassar College Women "B" 5 v SUNY-New Paltz Women "B" 5
Tries: Kelly Fitzgerald (1).

The predominantly rookie Vassar "B" team took the field with a good deal of apprehension but produced some excellent moments and showed some shape as they tied their New Paltz counterparts.
At scrumhalf Pengpeng Xiao was keen and alert although her pass must improve. In the center there was a distinctly international flavor with Mejhorn Flash of Jamaica and the Irish American Kelly Fitzgerald. Flash is well named as both showed a good turn of pace. Fitzgerald scampered over for the Vassar try and Flash did her country proud when she managed to chase down a New Paltz breakaway. At flyhalf, Alyssa Bell did a very good job of running the show and put in some big hits. Up front every Vassar player put their heart and soul into the effort and as the weeks go by they will no doubt commit fewer offenses! Dana Hart and Erika Militana stood out although Militana took a heavy fall near the end and bruised her ribs.

All in all for a first game this was very encouraging. Now it's out to the practice field to gain a better understanding of what, how, and when!

Team: 15 Jess Hackett 14 Stephanie Rapp 13 Mejhorn Flash 12 Kelly Fitzgerald 11 Beverly Fok 10 Alyssa Bell 9 Pengpeng Xaio 1 Vicky Gonzalez 2 Brianna Blackwood-Mallory 3 Suzanne Sweetnam 4 Caroline Schenkman 5 Bonnie Velez 6 Jane Manchon 7 Dana Hart 8 Erika Militana.