POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 21, 2012) - The Vassar Women had the perfect start to their local derby game against Marist College as Nichelle Jackson scored a good try after just five minutes of play in the Brewer 29-20 loss to Marist. But the poor tackling of last week and costly turnovers at critical moments allowed the Red Foxes to edge this contest.

Vassar College Women 20 v 29 Marist College Women
Tries: Nichelle Jackson (2), Chelsea Boccagno (1), and Meg Slattery (1).

This was a must win game for the Vassar Women if they were to control their own destiny to the playoffs so there was a real sense of urgency right from the outset. The forwards were direct and robust and it looked as if they would take control of this game after the first 20 minutes. However, there were too many turnovers that stopped promising attacks and Marist was also in a must win situation.

Marist tied the game at the 20 minute mark when two missed tackles allowed them to get in behind the defense but Vassar came right back to make it 10-5 just six minutes later. Center Chelsea Boccagno, back from injury, deserved her try on account of some determined running. Vassar did not handle the re-start well and it led to a Marist try that was a prelude to a third try that made it 17-10 at halftime in the visitors favor.

The Vassar team did some things very well and it was frustrating that other seemingly basic skills are not performed at all leading to simple errors and scores for the opposition. Catching the ball from passes and kicks, placing the ball so that the opposition does not steal it, and making head-on tackles rather than grasping with arms. Had Vassar been more consistent in these areas then the result may have been different. That is not to say that Marist was not worth their win, they were, as they made their tackles more consistently and even when they fell behind they kept their focus.

In the second half Marist added to their lead making it 22-10 before Nichelle Jackson scored her second try. The Vassar forwards were able to make 30-40 yards just picking and driving but when they got near the line mistakes were made. A knock-on, a slow ruck after an attempt to reach over the line, or a counter-ruck prevented a score. At 22-15 the result was up for grabs but a clearance kick by Marist that was hooked into the middle of the field took a wicked bounce and eluded both Hannah Fink and Shira Idris, falling into the path of the Marist chasers and they took a 29-15 lead. Again Vassar responded and Meg Slattery scored but with very little time remaining it finished 29-20.

Vassar must now win their final conference game of the year and get some help with other results in the conference in order to make the playoffs.

Team: 15 Hannah Fink 14 Tamasha Persaud 13 Chelsea Boccagno 12 Cierra
Thomas  11 Shira Kaye 10 Hannah Bober 9 Yael Schwartz 1 Nichelle
Jackson 2 Emma Elbaum 3 Sophia Rutkin 4 Patty Walton 5 Darienne Jones
6 Dallas Robinson 7 Meg Slattery  8 Nicole Guererro.

Overall record: 3-3-1.

Next weekend: Sunday October 28, 2012 Vassar College Women at Rutger's University Women kick-off 12:00 pm.

Conference standings: http://www.tristaterugby.com

Vassar College Women “B” 15 v 10 Marist College Women “B”
Tries: Imara Jones (2) and Nichelle Jackson (1).

The “B” side showed some very promising shape as they consistently outrucked the Marist rookies in the loose. This was particularly satisfying given that the whole pack was composed of Vassar rookies! The few “A” players that were drafted in so that there was a “B” game played in the backs until there were a couple of injuries.

It was good to see the novice backs get their hands on the ball and they ran with real purpose and when tackled placed the ball well. Shira idris is a crafty runner and she has quick hands so is a 10 for the future while Cierra Thomas showed in the last 3 games that she has the strength and nerve to play in the center.

But in the end it was the demonstrative Imara Jones who was on hand to collect two tries and Nichelle Jackson rounded off a good day with another for herself.

Team: 15 Meg Slattery 14 Leigh Yakubowski 13 Nora Kaye 12 Cierra
Thomas 11 Yael Schwartz 10 Shira Idris 9 Hannah Bober 1 Darienne Jones
2 Shanique Turner 3 Shanice Garwood 4 Julia McGill 5 Claire Oxford 6
Erin Murray 7 Alana McCraw 8 Imara Jones. Subs: Chelsea Boccagno for
Julia McGill, Emma Elbaum for Alana McCraw, Nichelle Jackson for
Chelsea Boccagno.