POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 16, 2011) -- At the start of the day, the Vassar College men's rugby team, with one loss, was in second place at 4-1. Marist was in first place atop the conference unbeaten at 5-0. The top four advance to the conference playoffs in two weeks and this game was huge for both programs. It was the kind of performance that combined good disciplined rugby that was marked by retention of possession and variety in attack with some strong defense. The Brewers scored some good tries but more importantly found out they can be strong and stubborn for 80 minutes.

Vassar College Men 29 v 20 Marist College Men
Tries: James Purtle (2), Adam Steel (1), & Karl Foley (1).
Cons: Brett Anker (3).
Pens: Brett Anker (1).

Overall record: 5-1-0.

Next week: Sunday October 23, 2011 versus New Paltz Men at SUNY-New Paltz, kick-off 2:00 p.m.

Marist took a 3-0 lead after 7 minutes with a penalty kick directly in front of the posts. Vassar had put some good phases together in the Marist 22 but when the ball was turned over they were forced back and eventually the pressure led to points. But in that period there were some very big tackles made by James Purtle, Andrew Jdaydani, and Zach Kent and they sent a message to the Marist runners that it would be a tough day at best.

Vassar was under pressure again and elected to run out of defense. They kept their composure and when Marist gave a penalty at a ruck the alert James Purtle tapped and went. he offloaded to Zach Kent who made yards into the Marist half. Vassar kept up the attack and after a couple of scrums James Purtle went over breaking a tackle to score. The try was converted and after 15 minutes Vassar led 7-3. The Brewers went further ahead at the 20 minute mark when after some excellent ball retention by backs and forwards Adam Steel did his best impersonation of Welsh scrumhalf Mike Phillips and dived over at the side of a ruck. Again, Anker's kick was successful and it was now 14-3. But immediately Vasssar gave away a penalty at a ruck following the re-start and it was 14-6 as Marist went for posts and was successful.

Vassar pressed but was turned over a couple of times deep in the Marist half and the home team kicked deep but Vassar's Hayden Moon caught everything and countered well. A third foray in these last minutes of the first half into Marist territory produced a penalty and Anker slotted it to give Vassar a 17-6 advantage. But the last 5 minutes was a period of massive Marist pressure as they managed to get over the lineout not before the ball was knocked-on. It was great period of defense from Vassars they turned around 11 points ahead.

The halftime talk was all about staying in control and looking after the ball. Marist was going to have to chase the game and so far hey hadn't managed a try while Vassar had scored twice.

A deep kick-off put Marist in their 22 and when Vassar tackled the receiver into touch they got the ball. Three phases later James Purtle had sliced his way through the defense to make it 22-6. But Marist showed that they too could create opportunities and they answered with 2 tries to make it 22-20 and a single score was the difference.

Vassar responded with a well worked try from Karl Foley, on as a replacement for the injured Akeel St. Vil who hadarted at the start of the second half. It was a game that was won with outstanding tackling and total commitment. Every player could say that they did their utmost and be very proud of the effort. This is the level to which this team needs to aspire every weekend.

Team: 15 Hayden Moon 14 Jerry Dieudonne 13 Zach Kent 12 Akeel St. Vil 11 Brett Anker 10 James Purtle 9 Adam Steel 1 Joe Karpman 2 Hal Moore 3 Tyler Blake 4 Andrew Mooe 5 Ian Ruginski 6 Alan Kenney 7 Nic Placeres 8 Andrew Jdaydani. Subs: Karl Foley for Akeel St. Vil, Jonathan Chu for Ian Ruginski, Nick Graham for Hayden Moon.

Vassar College Men "B" 14 v 21 Marist College Men "B"
Tries: Andrew Jdaydani (1) & Jerry Dieudonne (1).
Cons: Nick Graham (2).

Another game that involved some big, big tackles. The Brewers fell behind early but never gave the cause. The backs didn't really have room to operate but they made the most of their opportunities. Tries from Jdaydani filling in at fullback and Jerry Dieudonne subbing at flanker made this a good contest.

Team: 15 Brett Anker 14 Kenta Hasui 13 Tom Rafferty 12 Michael Nishimura 11 Miguel Salcedo 10 Nick Graham 9 Karl Foley 1 Brandon Greene 2 Jehan Shams 3 Dann Flynn 4 Marco Castro 5 Jonathan Chu 6 Alex Voynow 7 Tyler Blake 8 Parker Reeves. Subs: Alan Kenney for Joe Karpman, Andrew Jdaydani for Brett Anker, Zach Kent for Jehan Shams, Andrew Moore for Tyler Blake, Jerry Dieudonne for Alan Kenney.