POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 11, 2012) - The weather was unseasonably warm and conditions ideal for running and handling. The Vassar Brewers had to face Fairfield University for a shot at the Tri-State Championship game next Sunday, November 18. This was the school that last year broke Vassar hearts with a comeback win having been down 20-3, so motivation was certainly not an issue.

Vassar College Men 46 v 19 Fairfield University Men
Tries: Andrew Jdaydani (2), Karl Foley (1), Jerry Dieudonne (1), Alex Voynow (1), Joe Karpman (1).
Cons: Nick Graham (2).
Pens: Nick Graham (4).

Vassar fullback Nick Graham kept the Brewers in contention in the first half of this hugely competitive game. No-one should be fooled by the score-line as Fairfield led twice in the first half and as is their modus operandi they kept pressing for the full 80 minutes. The Stags have speed and athleticism to die for in the back division and it showed in the first half to the tune of two tries.

Vassar edged ahead 3-0 when Graham slotted an early penalty. But Fairfield responded in style with a try that sent a shiver of fear through the big home crowd as their speedy outside center received a ball in broken play and ran around a number of Vassar defenders. Earlier he had sliced through the middle and looked to have scored under the posts but a covering tackle by Jerry Dieudonne knocked the ball out and Vassar heaved a sigh of relief.

Graham connected on another penalty to put Vassar back in the lead 6-5 but again Fairfield showed how dangerous they could be when from a turnover they quickly regained the led 12-6. But the Stags did themselves no favors as they gave away a number of penalties at the breakdown. It allowed Vassar to gain territory and again that man Graham stepped up and it was 12-9.

Vassar had done a decent job of establishing their pattern for periods of time but the worry for them was turnover ball. As the half drew to a close Vassar's Andrew Jdaydani sold an outrageous dummy and then proceeded to score an outstanding individual try. It put Vassar up 16-12 at the half and was timed to perfection as the whistle went shortly thereafter for the end of the first 40 minutes.

The mission for the home team was clear. Don't give away the ball and if not in possession get the defensive line set quickly. Fairfield was reduced to 14 men for persistently failing to roll away from the ball at the tackle and Vassar took full advantage but not before another Fairfield scare. The Stags managed to mount an attack and looked like they would breach the Vassar defense. The elusive number 13 was met head-on by Nick Graham and the Vassar fullback made a try-saving tackle. Both players went down but not long afterwards the number 13 had to leave the field. Fairfield had lost a potent weapon.

Two penalties pushed Vassar into the Fairfield half and then the Vassar forwards began to win clean ball and the beneficiary was scrumhalf Karl Foley. The combative number nine went over from short range after some good continuity and when Jerry Dieudonne was put away down the right wing and scored Vassar led 28-12 having made one of the conversions.

Both Dieudonne and left wing Jesse Myhill had strong games as did inside center Zach Kent. But the team as a whole seemed a much more cohesive unit compared to earlier in the year. Now the Brewers were playing with confidence and getting into a rhythm. Hooker Alex Voynow ran off a ruck and suddenly appeared in space behind the Fairfield defense. He beat another defender and suddenly it was Vassar 33-12 in the lead.

Fairfield once again responded and scored a good try and it was a two score game at 33-19. Thoughts went back to last year and their amazing comeback but a penalty and two further Vassar tries from Joe Karpman and Andrew Jdaydani ended that scenario.

This was a big team effort and there were improvements on last week so now the Brewers have one more game this fall to make their mark. They will need to be even better in defense and minimize penalties. The task is known and the opportunity is there but they will need fire in their hearts and ice in their veins as they handle the pressure of playoff rugby.

Team: 15 Nick Graham 14 Jerry Dieudonne 13 Ben Chipkin 12 Zach Kent 11 Jesse Myhill 10 Akeel St. Vil 9 Karl Foley 1 Joe Karpman 2 Alex Voynow 3 Dan Flynn 4 Ian Ruginski 5 Tom Rafferty 6 Parker Reeves 7 Alan Kenney 8 Andrew Jdaydani.

Overall record: 7-1-0.
Next weekend: Sunday November 18th, 2012
Vassar College will host the Tri-State Conference Rugby Championships at Vassar College Farm
Championship games
12:00 noon Quinnipiac University Women versus University at Albany Women
2:00 p.m. Marist College Men versus Vassar College Men