FAIRFIELD, CT (November 10, 2013) - Marist got the match-up they wanted for the final as they faced Vassar College in the Tri-State Championship game. The Red Foxes, defending champions, had defeated Fairfield University 26-19 earlier in the day and this title deciding game was a chance for a repeat and redemption. Last week Vassar had traveled across town and played Marist in the final regular season game defeating them 34-12. So the stage was set and Vassar could be of no doubt that they had disturbed the hornets' nest and this game was going to be a real knockdown drag out affair!
Vassar College Men 11 v Marist College Men 5
Tries: Jesse Myhill (1).
Pens: Nich Graham (2).
The bright weather of the morning had given way to some rain, strengthening winds, and the sky became dark and gloomy. As the Vassar men took the field it was a somewhat different line-up from that which had faced Marist previously.
Vassar was without several starters including prop John Winton, hooker Adam D'Agostino, fullback Alan Hagins, flanker Erik Quinson, and wing Jacob Adelgren. In addition, locks Matt Montgomery and Matt Brown who have both started games this fall were out. But the team immediately set about the task of defeating Marist to earn a place in the USA Rugby Collegiate Men's Division II National Championship Round of 16.
Marist has a big pack and they are very direct in their running. Big strong men running hard asks the first fundamental question of any defense, can you tackle? Marist also has a couple of centers that are very strong and in the Fairfield game they tore through to make significant line breaks and scored tries. They too ask a defense serious questions. But let's give credit where credit is due and praise the Vassar defenders for not only answering the question but also limiting Marist to one try.
The weather and the stakes meant that this was probably not going to be a high scoring contest and by the end Vassar had only scored 1 try as well. But they did cross the Marist goal line twice only to lose the ball forward! It could have proved so costly for the Brewers.
The opening 10 minutes was all Vassar as they stole the kick-off, took a strike against the head and went through phases well inside the Marist 22 and just 5 yards from the goal line. But just as in the semifinal they failed to cross for a try. Eventually, Marist cleared only to concede a penalty and fall behind 3-0. Once again Nich Graham did the honors for the Brewers. From the re-start Marist managed to generate a period of territorial advantage as they pinned Vassar inside their own half. When Vassar conceded a slew of penalties Marist opted to run right at the pack and there were some big collisions. Vassar's Louis Khourey exemplified the team effort and attitude as he stepped up and put his body on the line for his college. Marist cheered as the big lad was knocked backwards but they had not penetrated the Vassar defense.
Marist tried to move the ball down their line a number of times but the conditions led to dropped passes or poor passes but it wasn't only the conditions that produced these errors.
Vassar was able to get out of their 22 when awarded a free kick and Nich Graham punted the ball way down the field using the wind. Moments later the Marist hooker was blatantly offside as he stood up at the back of the ruck and decided he would play the ball. Nich Graham kicked the penalty and it was half time with Vassar now up 6-0.
The second half was most memorable for 3 incidents two of which were when Vassar looked to have scored tries and either or both would have sealed the win. But prior to these Marist scored a try but missed the conversion to make it 6-5 Vassar.
The Vassar scrum was giving Marist problems and the forwards were making good yards in the loose. When Marist opted to kick freshman fullback Seamus Taylor took the ball on the bounce and sprinted around the Marist right wing. Taylor turned to get the ball closer to the middle once he was over the goal line but then was tackled and lost the ball forward! It was an agonizing moment for the Vassar players none more so than the young fullback.
But Vassar knew they had the beating of this team if they could keep their shape and make their tackles. The forwards drove a lineout some 20 meters and the bigger pack was being bossed and out-muscled. Karl Foley played like a flanker and led from the front and every man stood up and was counted on defense.
Marist in the final 3 minutes trued in vain to run out of their 22. They shifted the ball from side to side but they made no forward progress and in the end a dropped pass led to a Vassar scrum. Moments later Jdaydani fed Myhill and it was 11-5 with less than a minute remaining. Vassar caught the re-start drove the ball a few times and then the final whistle blew!
A massive squad effort has gotten the Brewers to the National Championship round of 16 and there is now more rugby to be played on a national stage.
Team: 15 Seamus Taylor 14 Nich Johnson 13 Brian Heil 12 Jerry Dieudonne 11 Jesse Myhill 10 Nich Graham 9 Karl Foley 1 Geoff Matthes 2 John Loree 3 Louis Khourey 4 Zach Rippe 5 Sean O'Connell 6 Kenta Hasui 7 Justin Nam 8 Andrew Jdaydani.
Collegiate record: 8-2-0
Overall record: 8-3-0 (includes Alumni game)
