POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 12, 2009) -- Vassar sent a shot across the bow of her divisional rivals this weekend and it may surprise a few of them. All the tries were scored by the backs with the wings and fullback getting 5 of the 6 scores in an entertaining contest at the Farm versus R.P.I. Women. Freshman Laura Howard showed the defense a clean pair of heels twice and might have had a third but for a good cover tackle. Senior Willa Conway also went over twice and freshman Emma Backe slipped through the defense for a good score.

Vassar College Women 38 v R.P.I. Women 21
Tries: Lorraine DeGraffenreidt (1), Laura Howard (2), Willa Conway (2), Emma Backe (1).
Cons: Lorraine DeGraffenreidt (1), Kate Hancock (3).

Captain Lorraine DeGraffenreidt had to dash off at the end of the game to attend an audition. If she does even half as well as she did against R.P.I. then she'll get the part and be a star! She scored Vassar's first try after about 20 minutes, tackled well throughout, and was always a threat at flyhalf.

Vassar absorbed some early pressure from R.P.I. and in fact the visitors had a couple of early chances as Vassar struggled to get organized defensively. But with some good phase ball the Brewers finally broke the deadlock to go up 5-0. DeGraffenreidt took a ball at pace from a ruck and sliced through to score.

Keri Peacock distributed well and quickly and the forwards got into their stride at the rucks which led to openings in the R.P.I. defense. One such gap was exploited by Willa Conway who ran strongly and Vassar led 12-0. Conway is a joy to watch as she runs hard and tackles well. The Vassar backs will need to be a lot more aggressive in the weeks to come and should benefit from the pressure they produce. But it'll need to be the whole line that comes up at pace and not in ones and twos.

Another real surprise was the running of freshman Laura Howard. She has a good turn of speed and early in the game she was put away and went on a long run to the R.P.I. 22 meter line before being knocked into touch. Later she made no mistake and when faced with a defender stood her up, danced on the spot for a second, and then sprinted around to score. She went over in the corner but showed good sense to run around under the posts for the try. Kicker Kate Hancock could not have been more grateful as she slotted that conversion and another 2 for a total of 3 from 4 on the day.

Freshman Shanaye Williams was a force whenever she got the ball and while she needs to get a lot fitter she has earned the respect of her teammates with her commitment. Hannah Bober played for a time at flyhalf as Vassar rung the changes and she is Emily Dorman reincarnate! She tackles, distributes the ball well, and she may have one up on the former captain as she can kick. In the forwards Nicole Guerrero impressed with her no-nonsense tackling and straight-forward rucking.

However, the team needs to be much quicker to get the defensive line set-up and overall has to be more direct and disciplined in attack but there is some promise on the evidence of today's game. In fact just about every player had some good moments - Annie Creech hanging on with one hand, Lucy Cantwell always on the ball,Katie Merlie making the hard yards, Krystal Cashen tackling and rucking, Libby Pei darting around the rucks, to mention just a few names, so it was a positive day for the program.

But the honeymoon is over now as divisional games start next week with the visit of Providence College. It's going to be a hard season with the top teams in the division likely to ask much more serious questions. The whole squad needs to up the ante and work harder in practice to give themselves the best opportunity for success. The team needs to develop a much more ruthless streak and be prepared to be more aggressive and physical in contact. Vassar needs to win the point of contact consistently. It's going to be a lot of fun to see this young team mature.

Overall record: 2-0-0.
Next: Saturday September 19, 2009 versus Providence College at Vassar College Farm, kick-off 1:00 p.m.

Vassar College Women's Rugby Squad 2009-10:
Maria Androushko, Emma Backe, Kimberly Beaudoin, Alyssa Bell, Brianna Blackwood-Mallory, Hannah Bober, Lucy Cantwell, Krystal Cashen, Catherine Cole, Willa Conway, Annie Creech, Marissa Davis, Lorraine DeGraffenreidt, Natalie duRivage, Vanora Estridge, Nicole Guerrero, Kate Hancock, Laura Howard, Morandi Hurst, Jessica Lance, Elissa Lim, Amielle Major, Katie Merlie, Sharon Onga, Keri Peacock, Libby Pei, Violeta Picayo, Xiaoyuan Ren, Julia Rossi, Laura Saiz, Cydney Smith, Jansyn Thaw, Olivia Tousignant-Pienkos, Bonnie Velez, Patty Walton, Amanda Waterhouse, Krissa Wiechmann, Shanaye Williams, Qian Xu, Mariko Yoshimura-Rank