POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 26, 2010) – The Vassar College women's rugby team defeated cross-river rival SUNY New Paltz 37-17 for their second straight MET NY Rugby Union victory.

The Brewers improve to 2-1 and will square off against Stony Brook University on the road Saturday, October 2, at 12:00 p.m.

Just as at Hofstra last weekend, the Brewers attack was led by O'Mara Taylor. She hustled and bustled ripping off long runs and plaguing the New Paltz defense. She scored 3 tries, two of which were about 60 yards in length!

New Paltz must have wondered what had hit them for they had established good field position and probably expected to barge over themselves. In addition, Vassar had the pace of Keri Peacock and Margaret Kwateng to further stretch the New Paltz resources.

But to single out these 3 is a disservice to the rest of the team. There is a great attitude and they all play their hearts out for each other. Up front Dana Hart and Kim Beaudoin make tackle after tackle and freshman Dallas Robinson gets better and better with each outing. Laura Howard made some rock solid tackles and Addie Provenzano zipped and zoomed around trying to find a way through the defense.

Margaret Kwateng scored the second try using pace and strength on the right wing but the try of the game was when Keri Peacock went over and it was then 15-5. New Paltz had scored after they kicked deep and then from a scrum they ran a simple play close to the Vassar line. So Peacock's try took it from 10-5 to a two score game. The forwards rucked very well and after some good phases it was try time! Kwateng got a second and Taylor another so it was 25-5.

New Paltz never gave up and had a good spell that culminated in a try so it was 25-10. Vassar regrouped and scored another try that was converted by Addie Provenzano, her first successful kick of the day and although New Paltz crossed again Vassar had the last word. Center Laura Howard ran well and the Brewers divisional record is now 2-0.

Vassar College 37 v SUNY-New Paltz 17
Tries: O'Mara Taylor (3), Margaret Kwateng (2), Keri Peacock (1), & Laura Howard (1).
Cons: Addie Provenzano (1).

Team: 15 Addie Provenzano 14 Margaret Kwateng 13 Laura Howard 12 Julia Nissen 11 Sarah Fuentes 10 Hannah Bober 9 Keri Peacock 1 Nichelle Jackson 2 Kim Beaudoin 3 Alyssa Bell 4 Patty Walton 5 Kate Merlie 6 Dana Hart 7 Dallas Robinson 8 O'Mara Taylor. Subs: Rachel Thompson for Nichelle Jackson, Naomi Dann for Sarah Fuentes, Maddie Zappala for Dana Hart, Manola Fortun for Rachel Thompson.


Vassar College "B-Side" 24 v SUNY-New Paltz 12
Tries: Mia Fermindoza (2), Natalie Ward (1), & Alyssa Bell (1).
Cons: Mia Fermindoza (2).

One of the many joys as a coach is to see rookies improve and it's a real bonus when they score tries. When Mia Fermindoza scooped up the ball from the base of a ruck after about 10 minutes of play and ran to her left, it was as if the Red Sea had parted. She was in acres of space because the New Paltz defense had bunched after over-pursuing. Fermindoza just pinned her ears back and headed for the line. New Paltz players were in hot pursuit and they closed the gap but the Vassar scrumhalf dived and put the Brewers up 5-0.

The Vassar forwards were in uncompromising form and they rucked well providing a good platform for the backs. Fermindoza followed up with a second try and a conversion and the home team was 12-0 ahead. The front row had the measure of their bigger opponents and so the scrums were solid. The next rookie to be the beneficiary of good ball was flyhalf Natalie Ward. She is quick off the mark and she darted over from about 20 yards after a couple of good quick phases were won.

The entire team knew that if they could continue to win good ball then it would be a matter of how many tries would be scored rather than the result being in question. For the second week in a row Kim Beaudoin played an additional 25 minutes as did Patty Walton and Alyssa Bell. These 3 more experienced players helped their teammates maintain some real shape and led by example. Bell trundled over after some earlier impressive runs and although New Paltz had earned a couple of tries Vassar was in control.

Team: 15 Rachel Lenihan 14 Emma Elbaum 13 Naomi Dann 12 Chelsea Boccagno 11 Libby Jacobson 10 Natalie Ward 9 Mia Fermindoza 1 Nichelle Jackson 2 Maddie Little 3 Manola Fortun 4 Maddie Zappala 5 Sandy Pogarcic 6 Nicole Whitney 7 Kim Beaudoin 8 Patty Walton. Subs: Alyssa Bell for Patty Walton, Hannah Bober for Kim Beaudoin.