POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 20, 2013) - On a stunningly beautiful New York Fall day, under the bluest of skies and in brilliant sunshine, the Vassar men's rugby team rounded off their Fall Break with a resounding victory over SUNY-New Paltz. They scored a school second best ever 12 tries with 8 of the starting 15 scoring en route to an emphatic win.

Vassar College Men 72 v SUNY-New Paltz Men 5
Tries: Louis Khourey (1), Andrew Jdaydani (2), Seamus Taylor (1), Brian Heil (2), Kenta Hasui (1), Karl Foley (2), Jesse Myhill (1), Erik Quinson (2).
Cons: Nich Graham (6).


This game began as it always does against neighbors New Paltz with the visitors stealing ball and both teams tackling like demons. Vassar quickly went through multiple phases only to have their progress thwarted when they lost the ball in contact or threw poor passes that were knocked-on. There were a couple of signs in the first few scrums that Vassar would have an edge as Adam D'Agostino took one against the head and the Vassar pack pushed New Paltz back disrupting ball. It was to be a constant throughout the game and it meant New Paltz struggled without this platform.


The first try came from an unexpected source, namely lock Louis Khourey. Not that it was undeserved but rather even he seemed surprised as he dived in after some good continuity had seen Vassar drive up the field. The second try, scored by Andrew Jdaydani, was a result of poor New Paltz tackling and the Vassar Number 8 went over untouched from 35 yards out.  Vassar had built a 12-0 lead but more importantly even when New Paltz had possession the quick defense halted them well behind the gain line.


Fullback Seamus Taylor was a tad fortunate with his try as some referees may have penalized him for not releasing the ball when tackled. But in any event he came smashing in to the line and although brought down quickly recovered and dived in to make it 19-0.


The writing was now on the wall for New Paltz and it didn't look like they had much to offer as Vassar managed to monopolize possession. When New Paltz did get the ball they kicked it away and Taylor was on hand to run it back at them.


The center partnership of Ben Chipkin and Brian Heil has enjoyed some success this season and this game was to highlight them to a degree. Brian Heil was the beneficiary of two tries, his first and Vassar's fourth was a real peach. He cut a line that split the New Paltz defense and it must have appeared that the Red Sea had parted as he dashed in from over 40 yards. Chipkin did not get on the score sheet but his contributions were just as vital. A further 2 tries, one from Kenta Hasui and the other from Jdaydani brought the first half to a close and the Vassar team took a well deserved rest after 40 minutes.


New Paltz immediately conceded a try at the start of the second half when Karl Foley went over and he alertly scored again within 5 minutes from a close range penalty. He had an indifferent day in attack as his passing was not good enough but he was exemplary with his tackling and always posed a running threat.


Vassar, now up by 48 to 0 looked like they eased up a tad and New Paltz came running hard back into the contest.  They forged their way in to the Vassar 22 but when they knocked-on a scrum was awarded to Vassar in the middle of the 22. The ball was moved wide to Jesse Myhill who decided to round the speedy New Paltz right wing and then he stood up the fullback and ran the remaining distance to the goal line to score a magnificent individual try. It was such a body blow to the visitors that you could see them deflate.


It was something of a surprise then that New Paltz scored next to make it 53-5. Credit is due to them for their positive attitude and strong running. However, that would be the last of any sign of a New Paltz revival. Vassar rang the changes but kept their shape for the most part and further scores from flanker Erik Quinson (2) and Brian Heil put the final points on the board. Quinson had a good day but did an awful impersonation of Pele hoofing the ball from a kick-off. He also kicked the ball in the "B" game so will no doubt be heavily fined for these cardinal sins!


Vassar has some stern tests ahead and must deal better with kick-offs as this provided at least 4 turnovers. The scrum must not wheel but since this was probably a product of imbalance rather than design it is very fixable. It was good to see Nich Johnson get in to the game at 12 and Stoddard Meigs at 10 for apparently that is the latter's jersey!

Team: 15 Seamus Taylor 14 Jacob Adelgren 13 Brian Heil 12 Ben Chipkin 11 Jesse Myhill 10 Nich Graham 9 Karl Foley 1 Geoff Matthes 2 Adam D'Agostino 3 John Winton 4 Louis Khourey 5 Zach Rippe 6 Kenta Hasui 7 Erik Quinson 8 Andrew Jdaydani. Subs: Matt Brown for Adam D'Agostino,  Nich Johnson for Ben Chipkin, Stoddard Meigs for Seamus Taylor, Wade Crouch for Andrew Jdaydani, John Loree for Louis Khourey.

Overall record: 4-3-0.

Next week: Sunday October 27th, 2013 at Sacred Heart University, kick-off 12:00 p.m.

Vassar College Men "B" 22 v SUNY-New Paltz Men "B" 10
Tries: Stoddard Meigs (1), Erik Quinson (1), Eli Vargas (2).
Cons: Stoddard Meigs (1).

The Vassar forwards took the game right to the opposition and showed that if one gets low in the rucks it's the key to winning ball. Despite facing a bigger and heavier pack they consistently won ruck ball.

The first Vassar try was courtesy of Jesse Myhill and a sublime evasive run. The "A" side wing, playing at fullback because the "B" side was short, wrecked havoc as he made defenders miss. He got to within 10 yards of the goal line and then unselfishly passed to the supporting Stoddard Meigs. Meigs scored and it sent a ripple of confidence through the team.

New Paltz equalized shortly afterwards though as Vassar fell off some tackles but the Brewers had regained the lead before the break when Erik Quinson was put over on the right wing.

Outstanding for the "B" side was Sean O'Connell in the tackling department. He is a physical presence and Matt Brown and Justin Nam aided his work.

The game was in the balance for a while as Meigs left the field and Foley came on at 10. But it was a banner day for Vassar's Eli Vargas in his first game back after a long absence. Vargas injured his shoulder last Fall, had surgery, and after rehab is back and he scored 2 tries to seal the win for the Brewers. A try either side of a New Paltz try meant that it went from 17-5 to 17-10 and then 22-10. The center pairing of Johnson and Vargas went well given it was showcased for the first time.

A number of the "A" side forwards got playing time in the backs and when Geoff Matthes dummied and then stumbled, every spectator felt for the speedster wing John Winton who may have gone over but Matthes did not pass.

The crowd was also a little disappointed in the performance of Louis Khourey on the wing in that he did not score. John Winton saved his best for last but the conversion attempt, by drop-goal, drifted wide so perhaps he should take lessons from Quinson!

Team 15 Jesse Myhill 14 Louis Khourey 13 Eli Vargas 12 Nich Johnson 11 Eric Quinson 10 Stoddard Meigs 9 Jake Sheehy 1 David Wallach 2 Justin Riley 3 John Loree 4 Matt Brown 5 Sean O'Connell 6 Orion Morrison-Worrell 7 Justin Nam 8 Wade Crouch   Subs: Eric Santacruz for John Loree, Zach Rippe for Louis Khourey, Geoff Matthes for Jesse Myhill, John Winton for Eric Quinson.

"B" side overall record: 3-1-0.

Next week: Sunday October 27th, 2013 at Sacred Heart University "B", kick-off 1:45 p.m.