POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 2, 2011) -- The Vassar College women's rugby team jumped ahead of Yale and led 15-5 at the half. They then extended their lead to 27-5 before taking their foot off the gas. Yale rallied to score two good tries and in the end there was just a 10-point difference between the teams. Keri Peacock scored three tries and the Vassar backs looked dangerous every time they got the ball. Vassar's Hannah Bober took a beating in this game as she faced a tough opponent in Ms. Shapiro from Yale, but in true "Von Wolfhausen" spirit the diminutive flyhalf stuck to her duties and then plunged over to score for Vassar. It was a popular try to say the least.

Vassar College Women 32 v Yale University Women 22
Tries: Jessica Lance (1), Margaret Kwateng (1), Keri Peacock (3), Hannah Bober (1).
Cons: Laura Howard (1).

It was textbook rugby early and often. The Vassar forwards won the ball and it was well used by the backs. Laura Howard had a wonderful afternoon running with pace and authority. She should have scored but passed off and the ball was knocked on and it would have been the icing on the cake for the Vassar center. She faced a difficult opponent in Alex Gillon of Yale. the former flanker takes some bringing down but Howard was up to the task.

Keri Peacock ran in 3 lovely tries and was her usual forceful self in defense. Her's may be the biggest shoes that Vassar has ever had to fill next year as she graduates this spring. In the meantime she is just doing what she does best, running, passing, and tackling!

But there were a few hiccups as the Vassar scrum was wheeled and it meant life was tough for Patty Walton but she did well in her second game at Number 8.

Addie Provenzano was fast and sure at fullback and since Yale did kick quite often this was a welcome sight. Senior Jessica Lance scored Vassar's first try and showed real guile as she fooled the defense and went over in the corner from about 50 yards.

The unsung playmakers were the Vassar forwards and they just keep on rolling along. They rucked well and other than a couple of missed tackles they were the reason the backs had the ball to score.

Vassar faces another division I opponent next week, UMass., Amherst. It will be another step up but the team appears to be gelling.

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 Maddie Zappala 5 Kate Merlie 6 Dana Hart 7 Kim Beaudoin 8 Patty Walton.

Team 2010-11 overall record: 10-3-1.

Next: Saturday April 9, 2011 versus UMass., Amherst Women at Vassar, KO 2:00 p.m.

Vassar College Women "B" 10 v Yale University Women "B" 22
Tries: Naomi Dann (1), Julia Maltby (1).

In the end the lack of experience took its toll as the Vassar "B" side played the majority of the Yale "A" team. But it started well as Naiomi Dann sprinted down the left wing for an opening try. The forwards also rucked with great unity and it was a shame that some tackles were missed that allowed Yale back into the game. Rookie Julia Maltby scored late in the second half once she had figured out that one gets points for running forward and putting the ball down in-goal. Prior to that she had made multiple passes which are worth nothing on the scoresheet!

Mia Fermindoza had good service from the base of the scrum and is really starting to look the part of a number 9.

Team: 15 Naomi Dann 14 Celia Castellan 13 Kerrin Poole 12 Julia Maltby 11 Emma Elbaum 10 Natalie Ward 9 Mia Fermindoza 1 Kyle Higgins 2 Maddie Little 3 Manola Fortun 4 Sandy Pogarcic 5 Jansyn Thaw 6 Nada Mohamed 7 Libby Jacobsen 8 Chelsea Boccagno