NEW HAVEN, CT (October 11, 2009) -- It was a beautiful sunny day and the short trip to New Haven through the Connecticut countryside offered some lovely views. The Vassar women were hoping to put their last two weeks woes behind them and earn a second divisional win but a last minute try by Yale spoiled the day.

Vassar College Women 15 v Yale University Women 15
Tries: Amanda Waterhouse (1), Ami Major (1), & Brianna Blackwood-Mallory (1).

This game was there for the taking. Vassar destroyed the Yale scrum and at times the Ivy Leaguers were virtually running backwards at the set piece. In the lineouts Vassar held an edge as well with Amanda Waterhouse disrupting the Yale throw. The Brewers managed to have some strong individual runs off the fringes with Nathalie duRivage, Ami Major, and Shanaye Williams most visible. But often those runs ended with the ball being turned over as the Yale defenders ripped at the ball or support was slow to get to the tackled player. There was also a real lack of spark as the team seemed lethargic at times, a worrying characteristic given the closeness of this contest.

Yale took the lead 5-0 and all their 3 tries had the same signature. Players offloading and keeping the ball alive, spreading it wide, and Vassar players slipping off tackles. It was a very frustrating day as the forwards kept winning almost every scrum and so there were chances aplenty.

Amanda Waterhouse scored to tie the game at 5-5 before Yale again went ahead 10-5. Then in the second half Ami Major picked from the base of a scrum and scored to make it 10-10. As the second half progressed Vassar was not able to turn all this possession into significant territory or points but Brianna Blackwood-Mallory went over and it was 15-10 to the Brewers.

Yale threw everything into the last 5 minutes and was rewarded with a try wide out on the right. Had they made the kick they would have won but as it was it finished 15-15.

Although one might argue that Vassar is young and inexperienced that was certainly the case for Yale as well. This situation should not be used as an excuse for lack of effort and urgency. Too many times players were slow to the breakdown. The Vassar team must start to put phases together and the units compliment each other. Hopefully the 3 remaining games will show improvement and individuals who have good runs can turn those gains into continued team possession. Better body position in contact, staying on one's feet until support has arrived, and closer support are all essential if wins are to be earned.

Team: 15 Emma Backe 14 Laura Howard 13 Julia Rossi 12 Willa Conway 11 Kate Hancock 10 Hannah Bober 9 Keri Peacock 1 Alyssa Bell 2 Natalie duRivage 3 Shanaye Williams 4 Nicole Guerrero 5 Krissa Wiechmann 6 Amanda Waterhouse 7 Lucy Cantwell 8 Ami Major. Subs: Brianna Blackwood-Mallory for Nicole Guererro.
Overall record 2009-10: 3-2-1.
Next weekend: Saturday October 17, 2009 versus Dartmouth College Women, kickoff 2:00 pm.

Vassar College Women "B" 0 v Yale University Women "B" 30

Playing 10s is tough enough when you know what you are doing! Given that Vassar plays a very structured 15s game this makes 10s very difficult at best. But to their credit the Vassar women tackled hard and had a couple of chances with some strong runs. In the end the Yale "B" team prevailed with 3 tries in each half.

Team: 14 Charlene Ren 13 Caitlin Bull 12 Annie Creech 10 Violeta Picayo 9 Jansyn Thaw 1 Krystal Cashen 2 Laura Saiz 3 Patty Walton 4 Sharon Onga 5 Nicole Guerrero.