POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 6, 2013) - The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain but on this first weekend of October it came down like a monsoon at the Vassar College Farm. The plan was simple: don't pass the ball because it was like a bar of soap! The Vassar Women faced a very feisty and aggressive New Paltz team but kept their discipline to run out convincing winners.

Vassar College Women 66 v 0 SUNY-New Paltz Women
Tries: Margaret Kwateng (4), Cierra Thomas (2), Anne Fritzson (1),  Rachel Thompson (1), Dallas Robinson (2), Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild (1), Emma Kading (1).
Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (3).

The score may seem to indicate that this was a lopsided victory but if truth be told New Paltz was fiercely competitive from start to finish. They have a great team spirit and never stopped working for each other.

Vassar's tries came at a steady pace and it was the work of the forwards early on that laid the foundation. Time and time again they picked and went around the fringes of the ruck. It was the expedient thing to do given the attrocious wet conditions. Parts of the field has standing water but the as the first half came to a close the day was somewhat brighter and the rain had stopped.

Margaret Kwateng was like a 9th forward as she too posed a threat around the rucks. Meg Slattery was able to slice through the smallest of gaps and Darienne Jones showed good drive. It was also pleasing to see Dallas Robinson making big gains and she seems to have recovered her good form.

In the backs Cierra Thomas was sharp and earned 2 tries while Emma Kading at fullback intervened at choice moments and picked up a deserved try.

The Vassar Women still need to improve their scrummaging and in the loose the rucking can still be more powerful. But the team continues to make strides as they head into this weekend's game with the University at Albany.

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

Overall record: 3-1-0.

Next: Saturday October 12th, 2013 at U. at Albany kick-off 12:00 noon.

Vassar College Women "B" 26 v SUNY-New Paltz Women "B" 5
Tries: Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild (2), Meg Slattery (2),
Cons: Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild (3).

Captain for the day, Mia Chatterjee, led by example as she tackled anything and everything that came her way. This was a team with 14 rookies and they impressed with their attitude and the game had real shape as they defeated their cross-river rivals New Paltz.

The forwards were superior ruckers and it meant that the halfbacks, Zoe Kurtz and Ellen Quist, had plenty of possession. The service from Kurtz to Quist needs work but the number 10 was able to get the ball away despite the pressure. One such pass went to the speedy Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild who need no further invitation to scoot around the defense and put Vassar in the lead. She duly converted her try and it was 7-0.

It is really satisfying to see rookies play with such courage and commitment and the Vassar fifteen had these in abundance. Taylor Nunley and Emily Bender ran with conviction and were well supported by the front 5. Nathalie Freeman is a fearless warrior and Lauren Workman a tackle maniac. Daria Egorova also looked incisive as she went through a couple of times. Yasani Spencer had huge runs as she fended off would be tacklers en route to yards gained. Meanwhile Lizzie Bennett scrummaged strongly.

In the back division Sylvia Haigh is a true competitor. In the latter minutes of the game with New Paltz threatening to score she basically said, "Give me the ball we need to get out of here!" She then got the ball and weaved her way some 25 yards to relieve the pressure. On the left wing Priscilla Yevoo announced her arrival to the sport of rugby with a series of crunching tackles. This woman can play!

It was a good team effort and everyone had moments in the sun. Further tries came from Slattery and Blumenthal-Rothchild and victory was earned 26-5.

Team: 15 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild14 Molly Osborn 13 Parisa Halaji-Dezfuli  12 Sylvia Haigh 11 Priscilla Yevoo 10 Ellen Quist 9 Zoe Kurtz 1 Lauren Workman 2 Nathalie Freeman 3 Lizzie Bennett 4 Daria Egorova 5 Yasani Spencer 6 Emily Bender 7 Mia Chatterjee 8 Taylor Nunley.
Subs: Wanda Noonan for Molly Osborn, Meg Slattery for Lauren Workman, Cameron Gerritty for Nathalie Freeman.