POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 16, 2011) -- Despite losing starter Dallas Robinson to an ankle injury and some suspect ball placement in the loose during the early stages of the game, the Vassar College women's rugby team went on to record a solid win over local rivals Marist College. Vassar scored seven tries and converted three of them to four tries and one conversion by Marist.

Vassar College Women 39 v 22 Marist College Women
Tries: Dallas Robinson (1), Shanaye Williams (1), Nichelle Jackson (1), O'Mara Taylor (1), Julia Maltby (2), Addie Provenzano (1).
Cons: O'Mara Taylor (2).

Next week: Sunday October 23, 2011 versus New Paltz Women at SUNY-New Paltz, kick-off 11:00 am

The first scrums were impressive and the return of Shanaye Williams to the front row after missing the Quinnipiac game meant that Marist were under pressure being driven back. Vassar took 2 against the head in the first 7 minutes. It was Robinson who picked up from a ruck and went over to open the Vassar account. But Vassar was stunned at the re-start as Marist quickly took the drop kick and after a couple of phases burst through the disorganized defense to make it 7-5 to the home team and it was game on!

Marist caught the re-start and broke a tackle and Vassar was again defending. But some strong rucking and determined carries by Williams and her fellow forwards allowed Vassar to get down the field. Shanaye Williams picked up from a ruck about 10 yards from the goal-line and she was not going to be denied a try as she put Vassar ahead 12-7 as it was converted by Taylor.

So after 15 minutes it had been action packed. Marist the edge in territory and only some staunch tackling kept them at bay. Freshman Meg Slattery was playing like her 1970s Irish internation namesake running well and tackling strongly. Marist was able to stay in the Vassar 22 for more time than was comfortable for the Brewers but eventually a break out by Margaret Kwateng took Vassar up to midfield. In fact she had gone the length of the field with support but had put a foot in touch. Moments later Nichelle Jackson ran and spun over the line to give Vassar the lead against the run of play 17-7.

O'Mara Taylor then scored right before halftime on a long run down the left wing and with the score at 24-7 Marist must have been wondering why the margin was such given their possession and territory.

Vassar started the second half with a score immediately as center Julia Maltby went over aft some good work by the team. She too was back in the lineup having missed the previous week.She collected a second try towards the end but even more pleasing was her composure in the tackle throughout the game.

At 29-7 Marist showed their good character and scored 2 good tries to remind Vassar that they are still in the playoff hunt. At 29-17 Vassar's fullback Addie Provenzano went over and even though Marist scored a crucial 4th try it finished 39-22. The second half each team had scored tries.

Outstanding for Vassar was the work of Margaret Kwateng as she consistently passed the ball away from the tackle and ruck situations quickly. A number of Vassar alumni were on hand one of which was former scrumhalf Keri Peacock and she would have truly appreciated Kwateng's contributions.

The win means Vassar will finish second in the conference and will have to play one of 3 teams, Marist, Stony Brook, or Quinnipiac, depending who finishes third in the first round of the Met. NY Championship.

Team: 15 Addie Provenzano 14 Natalie Ward 13 Chelsea Boccagno 12 Julia Maltby 11 O'Mara Taylor 10 Hannah Bober 9 Margaret Kwateng 1 Nichelle Jackson 2 Alyssa Bell 3 Shanaye Williams 4 Nicole Guerrero 5 Sandy Pogarcic 6 Meg Slattery 7 Dallas Robinson 8 O'Mara Taylor. Subs: Hannah Fink for Dallas Robinson.
Overall Record: 4-2-0.

Vassar College Women "B" 12 v 29 Marist College Women "B"
Tries: Gavriella Kaplan (1 & Natalie Ward (1).
Cons: Gavriella Kaplan (1).

The second game of the day was 10s and rookie Gavriella Kaplan, thrown into the deep end having to play scrumhalf, was a revelation. She passed well and ran elusively and was rewarded with a try for all her hard work. The game of 10s is a tough one and the Vassar players had not experienced it before, never the less they all tackled well and made a good effort.

Team: 14 Hannah Fink 13 Emma Elbaum 12 Emma Redden 10 Olivia May 9 Gavriella Kaplan 1 Sophia Rutkin 2 Maddie Little 3 Anna Carias 4 Rachel Harth 5 Julia McGill Subs: Hannah Bober for Olivia May, Natalie Ward for Hannah Fink.