PORTSMOUTH, RI (April 17, 2011) -- Immediately after the UConn game on Saturday, with the Vassar College women's rugby team having lost 5-7, some harsh words were spoken. The team was visibly shaken, upset, and angry. They had no outlet for their emotions and felt very frustrated. Knowing that both teams could advance to the final it was stated that they hoped to see UConn again so as to set the record straight. Well, fairy tales can come true, they can happen to you and they did for the Vassar Women! In a display worthy of past Beast of the East Champions, Vassar Men and Women, the 2010-11 Brewers outplayed the UConn Huskies to win the title.

Vassar College Women 12 v 0 UConn Women
Tries: Margaret Kwateng (1) and Patty Walton (1).
Cons: Laura Howard (1).

Vassar had to improve their rucking on the first game and they needed to scrummage better. They suffered a blow when #Nichelle Jackson could not play in the final because of an injured shoulder and that meant promoting Maddie Little to hooker and having freshman Naimah Petigny# play at loosehead. The first couple of scrums were a tad shaky but they settled down and never looked back even driving UConn back a couple of times late in the game! Little is as her name suggests but she plays big and has an even bigger heart. Petigny is a warrior and her hard work went along way to helping the cause.

The other major factor was that in this game UConn were not able to slow the ball down at the rucks by not rolling away! The referee did an excellent job of talking to the players and allowing the game to flow. Keri Peacock had another stormer of a game and the Vassar back division was able to apply plenty of pressure. As with all Vassar victories this was a monumental team effort. Laura Howard ran hard, Addie Provenzano was safe at fullback, and Julia Nissen still has yet to make a single error after 4 years as a Vassar starter! Alyssa Bell made some huge hits, Dallas Robinson was a whirlwind of activity and sent a message early when she ran right through the UConn number 8 courtesy of a lovely stiffarm!

The teams battled to halftime with neither scoring but the standard of play was good and the crowd enjoying every moment. UConn was unable to unleash their strong running number 8 Alicia Washington as Vassar's Dana Hart and others put in good tackles. As time passed belief became confidence. Howard made big yards with defenders hanging all over her and the outcome was that the team barged its way into the left hand corner. After mutiple rucks close to the line Margaret Kwateng plunged over and Vassar led 5-0.

But UConn came back immediately and when Vassar dealt poorly with the restart the Huskies were just 5 meters away from the Vassar line with a put-in at a scrum! But the Vassar defense held when yet again Dana Hart tackled the ball carrier and forced UConn back. the defense was now almost rabid! Vassar was not going to let UConn score. The Brewers eventually forced a penalty and Peacock kicked the ball deep and the immediate threat was thwarted.

Then came the icing on the cake! From some good phases that took Vassar up to the right hand corner, a scrum was awarded to the attacking team. Robinson picked up and was driven forward on the same side as the put-in and with the UConn pack in full retreat it was Patty Walton who dropped down to score! Laura Howard hit the conversion from a difficult angle and it was 12-0 to VC.

UConn again bashed forward but the Vassar players could sense victory and were in no mood for consolation awards! The final whistle sounded and the win and another Beast of the East Championship title was in the books! Congratulations to all the 22 women who represented the college this weekend for you showed all that it takes skill and no small amount of character to triumph.

Team: 15 Addie Provenzano 14 Margaret Kwateng 13 Laura Howard 12 Julia Nissen 11 Jessica Lance 10 Hannah Bober 9 Keri Peacock 1 Naimah Petigny 2 Maddie Little 3 Alyssa Bell 4 Patty Walton 5 Kate Merlie 6 Rachel Thompson 7 Dana Hart 8 Dallas Robinson. Sub: Maddie Zappala for Kate Merlie.

Next: Saturday April 23, 2011 versus Hamilton College at Vassar kick-off 2:30 pm. 

The chilly temperatures of Saturday gave way to wonderful sunshine and a cool breeze in Portsmouth, RI on Sunday. It was the kind of day that this area of the world loves as no doubt there were children flying kites and people out sailing around Newport taking advantage of the beautiful weather and windy conditions. The Vassar Women were in the mood for redemption as they anticipated earning a place in the final and hoped that UConn would beat Cornell to set up a re-match for the Brewers. Union College Women stood in the way and it was rather like a doe crossing the road right in front of an 18-wheel semi - there was only ever going to be one result!

Vassar raced out of the blocks against Union and put 39 points on them in the semifinal to advance. UConn Women defeated Cornell, thus avenging a loss from the Fall, and the stage was set for a re-match - Brewers versus Huskies.

Vassar College Women 39 v 0 Union College Women
Tries: Margaret Kwateng (3), Mia Fermindoza (1), Jessica Lance (1), Alyssa Bell (1), Keri Peacock (1).
Cons: Laura Howard (2).

There is no doubt that when Vassar is able to win quick ball from the rucks they will pose serious threats for any team. Keri Peacock at scrumhalf is to Vassar what Lee Dickson is to Northampton Saints - both thrive on quick ball, set the tempo for the team, and are able to launch attacks. No sooner was a player tackled and the ball placed that it was winging its way from Peacock to flyhalf Hannah Bober. Vassar was so quick to move the ball away from the breakdown that the Union College defenders struggled to get back let alone be in position to make a tackle.

The first try came when Jessica Lance sliced through the defense and ran a great line out wide from behind Laura Howard. Lance was just short of the line but right wing Kwateng scooped up the ball and dived in to make it 5-0. It was to be quite a day for Kwateng as she added another two tries, Vassar's second and sixth tries of seven in total that were scored. The Vassar right wing is quick, decisive, and is also developing into a good tackler.

Later on Lance got a try for herself and she was joined on the scoresheet by Peacock, Bell, and Fermindoza. While the scorers get mentioned in dispatches it was the unselfish rucking and ball retention by the forwards that allowed Vassar these opportunities. The front five did a very good job of intimidating their opponents and their body position in rucks and mauls was testiment to their good technique and no small measure of commitment. Hats off to Jackson, Bell, Petigny, Maddie Zappala, and Walton.

In the backrow, Robinson was a tower of strength and she continues to impress as she slips over, around, or runs through tacklers! She played at Number 8 and was solid throughout.

At 24-0 and just into the second half it was time to ring the changes. The Vassar subs came into the game and after a couple of minor hiccups they settled down to impress just as the starters had done. Good ball placement, solid hits, and efficient rucking all meant that the result was never in doubt.

Team: 15 Addie Provenzano 14 Margaret Kwateng 13 Laura Howard 12 Julia Nissen 11 Jessica Lance 10 Hannah Bober 9 Keri Peacock 1 Nichelle Jackson 2 Alyssa Bell 3 Naimah Petigny 4 Patty Walton 5 Maddie Zappala 6 Rachel Thompson 7 Dana Hart 8 Dallas Robinson. Subs: Mia Fermindoza for Keri Peacock, Kate Merlie for Maddie Zappala, Chelsea Boccagno for Hannah Bober, Celia Castellan for Jessica Lance, Emma Elbaum for Margaret Kwateng, Jansyn Thaw for Rachel Thompson, and Maddie Little for Alyssa Bell.