POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 26, 2013) – Back on September 21st the Vassar Women's Rugby team took a good old-fashioned whipping when they played local rivals Marist College losing 53-0. At the risk of stating the obvious, the team rarely tackled, did not keep their defensive shape, and lacked any real cut and thrust in attack. The last 5 weeks has seen a marked improvement and the return to fitness of some players have added much needed experience. But even the most optimistic Vassar fan could have been forgiven for thinking that the Brewers would turn this one around.

Vassar Women Earn Place In Conference Final

Tri-State Conference Championship – semifinal game

Vassar College Women 22 v 5 Marist College Women
Tries: Margaret Kwateng (1), Penalty Try (1), Hannah Fink (1), and Dallas Robinson (1).

Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (1).

You just gotta love it when the underdog prevails! Led by captains Margaret Kwateng and Dallas Robinson the Vassar women set about turning a 53-0 loss into a victory. They had to play on the same field since the hosts, Marist College, had gone undefeated and was the number 1 seed. They had to perform after a tough quarterfinal game against Rutgers University and in the first half they played into a fierce driving wind.

The forwards set out their stall early and were uncompromising in the rucks. Darienne Jones, Hannah Fink, Rachel Thompson and the rest of the pack smashed in to contact intent on maintaining possession. The team was also competitive with their counter-rucking and so they managed to limit the amount of ball the home team obtained. Freshman Nathalie Freeman showed up on the radar with some strong runs that included fending off tacklers and Emma Elbaum played her usual savvy game.

Vassar scored early when Margaret Kwateng wriggled over and then after a sustained period of pressure the Marist players repeatedly did not retire from a penalty kick just 5 yards out. Referee Gary McCormick had no choice but to award a penalty try. McElduff slotted the kick and it was 12-0 at the half.

In the backs Natalie Ward was exemplary and she does so many of the little things well that make a huge difference. She straightens up just when the flow seems to be drifting across, she dives on the loose ball, and she is a tireless tackler. Another encouraging aspect was the play of wing Anne Fritzson and fullback Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild. They made important tackles to deny the dangerous Marist wing big yards and potentially a score. Fritzson did well to finish the game for she had been quite sick in the week. She was a real live wire on the wing and ran back a couple of kicks much to the chagrin of the Marist number 10.

Vassar seemed to make the result safe when Hannah Fink went over after some good multiphase play but the Red Foxes of Marist came roaring back with a try of their own. 17-0 became 17-5 and one could sense a spring in the home team's step.

Meg Slattery kept winning lineouts and Vassar took one down and drove it about 35 yards. It sent a stern message and forced back Marist. Marist threw caution to the wind and spread the ball wide where it found their left wing that had enjoyed a number of tries in the 53-0 win back in September. However, Margaret Kwateng's covering tackle will long be remembered as she crushed the threat much like one squashes and ant scurrying across the kitchen counter! Dallas Robinson provided the icing on the cake, as she went in for the 4th Vassar try and a solid 22-5 victory.

The Brewers will play Stony Brook University Women next weekend in the Conference Championship game which will be held at Vassar with the kick-off at 2:15 pm. Stony Brook are undefeated this season so Vassar are the underdogs but think long and hard before you count these Brewers out!

Team: 15 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild 14 Anne Fritzson 13 Natalie Ward 12 Cierra Thomas 11 Mary Margaret McElduff 10 Shira Idris 9 Margaret Kwateng 1 Darienne Jones 2 Nathalie Freeman 3 Mariah Ghant 4 Emma Elbaum 5 Rachel Thompson 6 Hannah Fink 7 Meg Slattery 8 Dallas Robinson.  Subs: Kathleen Gould for Nathalie Freeman & Claire Oxford for Emma Elbaum.

Post Script: Often not reported in the summation of a game is the contribution of all the squad members and the support that they provide that allow the team to perform. In addition, the wonderful support from family, friends, and alumni is yet another factor. Today, during both games those contributions were an integral part of the victories. Thank you sincerely to all the squad members for the work at practices and on the touchline. Thank you to the injured players who have helped us get to where we are and thank you to the parents, family, friends and alumni who validate and encourage what we do. We are all VC.

Overall record: 6-2-0.

Next: Saturday November 2nd, 2013 Conference Championship versus Stony Brook University at Vassar College Farm - Kick-off 2:15 pm


Tri-State Conference Playoffs Results 2013

Saturday October 26, 2013

Quarterfinals

Marist College Women 20 v Fairfield University Women 12

Vassar College Women 17 v Rutgers University Women 0

U. at Albany Women 30 v Molloy College Women 10

Stony Brook University Women 43 v SUNY-Binghamton Women 0

Semifinals

Vassar College Women 22 v Marist College Women 5

Stony Brook University Women 29 v U. at Albany Women 12


Tri-State Conference Championship & 3rd/4th place Playoff at Vassar College

Saturday November 2, 2013

Finals

12:30 pm Marist College Women v U. at Albany Women - 3rd/4th place playoff

2:15 pm Vassar College Women v Stony Brook University Women - Championship game