POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 9, 2011) -- On a perfect day that was more Summer than Fall, the Vassar College men's rugby team ran in nine tries and converted two, notching up 49 points to earn their fourth divisional win of the season. A big defensive effort frustrated the visiting Seton Hall Pirates and when Vassar was able to get the ball they used it to good effect. 

Vassar College Men 49 v 7 Seton Hall University Men
Tries: Akeel St. Vil (1), Andrew Jdaydani (2), Jerry Dieudonne (2), Hayden Moon (2), & Adam Steel (2),
Cons: Brett Anker (2).

Overall record: 4-1-0.

Next week: Sunday October 16, 2011 at Marist College kick-off 2:00 p.m.

The opening stanza was all Seton Hall as Vassar defended tackling wave after wave of runners. It was a hot sunny day and the ground was firm but it would be a very lon day at the office if it was going to be defense for 80 minutes! But Seton Hall was stopped and when Vassar did get the ball they quickly settled into their stride. The key was quick ruck ball and it allowed the attack to boil and bubble.

Vassar's Akeel St. Vil slipped his way through the defense after some good phases and scored near the posts. Given that Vassar had been camped in their own 22 and that this was virtually their first time with the ball it was quite a body blow for the visitors. Brett Anker converted and while he was not to have a good day with his conversions he more than made up for it with his open field play.

A scrum about 25 yards out provided the platform for Andrew Jdaydani to score try number 2 and he also made it a brace with number 3. It seemed that the Pirates were reeling as they had worked hard, not gotten on the scoresheet, and shipped 17 points. It didn't get any better as Jerry Dieudonne scampered down the right touchline and made it 22-0.

Vassar was in the drivers seat but they let their foot off the gas after this 20 minute spell of good play in the first half. Seton Hall finished the last 10 minutes strongly and managed a try of their own to make it 22-7 at the half.

Vassar needed to shut the door by getting the next score and thus send the message that a comeback was not in the cards. The forwards kept up their good ball winning ways and it was time for James Purtle and the back division to step up. The backs were guilty of too many low percentage off-loads but they did run with pace and power allowing fullback Hayden Moon to score 2 tries, Dieudonne got his second, and Adam Steel collected 2.

This game showed that some aspects of the attack are developing but it also highlighted that mistakes are still present. The team must remain disciplined and not start thinking they can throw the ball around ad hoc just because there has been some progress. Kicks must be caught, players have to remember to run their lines, and defensively the help cannot come from the outside. So much to do, so little time!

Next Sunday Vassar are at Marist and with the local chamber of commerce keen to promote the game they providing a special trophy to the winner! Marist are unbeaten this fall and will certainly provide a massive test for the Vassar squad.

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: Jehan Shams for Hal Moore, Dan Flynn for Joe Karpman, Karl Foley for Zach Kent, Jonathan Chu for Andrew Jdaydani

Vassar "B" find shape and with it a good win

It is often difficult to get any real cohesion and continuity with the "B" side team due to a number of factors. But against Seton Hall this fifteen managed to demonstrate real shape and pattern to their attack and it paid dividends. By the end they had scored 4 tries and were deserved winners.

Vassar College Men "B" 20 v 5 Seton Hall University Men "B"
Tries: Karl Foley (1), Nick Graham (1), Miguel Salcedo (1), & Michael Nishimura (1).
The forwards quickly discovered that there was strength in numbers and consequently they won breakdown ball against their big opponents. The Vassar backs were the happy recipients and they made significant in-roads that put the Brewers on the front foot. It as if the other show had dropped and the team could now implement their pattern of play.

However, it was quick thinking that led to the first try as Karl Foley, playing at flanker, took a pass from a quick tap penalty and it was 5-0. The second Vassar try was a result of a charged down kick and an alert Nick Graham gathered the bouncing ball and darted over the line to make it 10-0. Both tries were scored from short range and bore testimony to the good ball retention and the fact that Vassar had marched down the field to apply pressure.

The third and fourth tries came from promising back play with some good individual running. First freshman Miguel Salcedo was put away by a pass from Tom Rafferty and he showed his opposite number a clean set of heels. Then freshman Michael Nishimura burst around the outside and did the same. It was great to see these two finally get reward for all their hard work. Indeed all the team tackled and ran with conviction and purpose and it made for a compelling game.

Team: 15 Myles Jarrett 14 Kenta Hasui 13 Tom Rafferty 12 Michael Nishimura 11 Miguel Salcedo 10 Nick Graham 9 Evan Obligin 1 Brandon Greene 2 Alex Voynow 3 Jehan Shams 4 Marco Castro 5 Jnathan Chu 6 Karl Foley 7 Sam Thomas 8 Parker Reeves. Subs: Alan Kenney for Jehan Shams.