STONY BROOK, NY (September 20, 2009) -- Vassar pressured Stony Brook immediately by maintaining possession and was deep in the home team's half, but a good break out and a long kick led to an early try and that was to set the tone for the day. Stony Brook has a very fast and strong back division and they play to their strengths. Vassar will watch the video of this game and learn a lot about the value of quick ball and the importance of good decision's in critical locations and at opportune times.

Vassar College Men 0 v Stony Brook University Men 35
The movie title "The Longest Day" would have served as a suitable description for Vassar's trip to Stony Brook. The Brewers, desperate for a win after losing their first divisional game of the year, dominated possession and territory against a good Stony Brook team. The Stony Brook defense deserves credit for they swarmed all over the visitors and it played a huge part in the final outcome.

In the first 20 minutes Stony Brook only managed to get into the Vassar half three times but when they did it was usually with serious consequences. Vassar was playing up a slope so it was even more impressive that they held a significant territorial advantage. Stony Brook scored 2 tries in the first half and led by 14 points to nil. The first try was from inside their own 22 when the ball was moved to the left, then brought back right and kicked deep. Vassar was unable to get possession of the loose ball on the ground and a SBU player scooped it up and scored. The SBU second try was a good one as they went through several phases before their tighthead burst over near the posts.

Both teams had their frustrations. SBU gave away a host of penalties particularly at the breakdown and probably felt that the referee was giving them a hard time. But looking at the video the referee had a good game and they really can have no complaints. Vassar was frustrated because they were doing well at the set piece but not turning possession and territory into points. Vassar outscrummaged SBU taking ball against the head and the lineout produced clean ball.

The second half saw Vassar virtually rent an apartment in the SBU half! But the SBU defense never wilted as they put in tackle after tackle. With 20 minutes left and the score still 14-0 Vassar had not managed to punch over the goal line despite being only 5-meters out for an extended period! SBU counter-attacked and after a ruck near the center of the field they spun the ball left and used the extra men on hand. It was a game deciding score and they led 21-0. Most knew now that the result was not in doubt it was a matter of the final score line.

It was tough on the Brewers for they had starved SBU of the ball and gained good yards to establish field position. There were other highlights - James Purtle had had a try disallowed in the first half as the pass was judged forward but the run had been near perfectly timed.  Iain Gordon played well in the lineout and at the base of the scrum and the fact that the team gained yards and held the ball for extended periods was a credit to the forwards.

In the final 10 minutes SBU scored 2 tries to make it a 35-0 shutout and they certainly deserved their win. They have a good chance of winning the division II title this year but they will need to be a lot more disciplined at the tackle and breakdown if they are to seriously challenge the Middlebury's and Coast Guard's of the Northeast.

The day was extended when in the "B" game Rahul Kanade injured his leg and had to go to the hospital. He was joined by Kendall Coleman, who needed a small cut on his head stapled. Then freshman Jerry Dieudonne fainted as the team waited at the hospital and had to be kept for tests. After a trip to Port Jefferson and a tour of St. George's Manor on Strong's Neck courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Strong and Jacqueline the team eventually returned home to Vassar.

Up next is Sacred Heart and again the Brewers are on the road and they'll be looking to take their record to 2-2.

Team: 15 Paul Tkaczuk 14 Kendall Coleman 13 James Purtle 12 Stefan Schwartz 11 Jerry Dieudonne 10 Connor O'Neill 9 Garrett Montgomery 1 Rhys Bambrick 2 Kevin Frodell 3 Barrington Archer 4 Tyler Blake 5 Joe Karpman 6 Kornel Krysa 7 Adam Steel 8 Iain Gordon.  Subs: Ian Ruginski for Joe Karpman, Zach Kent for Kendall Coleman.
Overall record 2008-09: 1-2-0.
Next weekend: Sunday September 27, 2009 at Sacred Heart University, kickoff 1:00 pm.

Vassar College Men "B" 7 v Stony Brook University Men "B" 10
Tries: S. Brooke (1).

Zack Kent impressed with his tackling early in this contest and both Nic Placeres and Adam Kardon showed that they have the mettle to compete. It was also good to see Hal Moore getting stuck-in and making hits. The Brewers led 7-5 until the final minutes before SBU prevailed 10-7.

Team: 15 Zack Kent 14 S. Brooke 13 Adam Kardon 12 Nic Placeres 11 Jerry Dieudonne 10 Rahul Kanade 9 Kris Adkins 1 Tony Brook 2 Hal Moore 3 A. N. Other 4 Joe Karpmen 5 Andrew Massey 6 Matt Elisofon 7 A. Fourth 8 Wun More