NEW YORK, NY (March 30, 2013) - The Vassar College men, without key starters and on the back of a poor performance last week, traveled to play Division I Columbia University in New York. Columbia play on a turf field and under a sunny blue sky conditions were perfect for an open handling game. The Vassar Men were ideally placed after an hour of outstanding play to earn a big win but much like Tantalus of Greek mythology just as they reached to stretch the lead the line went begging. It was a performance from which they can take many positives but also they learned some hard lessons in the closing minutes.

Vassar College Men 22  v 42 Columbia University Men
Tries: Jerry Dieudonne (1), Jesse Myhill (1), Dan Flynn (1), and Nic Placeres (1).
Cons: Nick Graham (1).

Vassar was without front row loosehead Joe Karpman and tighthead Jehan Shames plus Number 8 Ian Ruginski. The team had performed horribly last week against Molloy College and the focus this week had been on defense. Columbia always seem to have some big lads and strong runners and while the game last spring at Vassar finished tied 15-15 the omens were a lot more worrying on this lovely spring afternoon.

Yet after 30 minutes Vassar led 17-5 and that was how the first half ended! The Brewers were clinical when they got into the Columbia 22 and they looked sharp, focused and determined. The game commenced with Vassar winning their own kick-off, going through a number of phases swinging the ball left and right before Jerry Dieudonne scored a try. Columbia hadn't touch the ball and Vassar led 5-0.

Columbia were stung into action and they applied a good deal of pressure dominating territorially. They almost scored in the right hand corned but before the ball was grounded the wing was tackled into touch in-goal. Then they had another attempt held up over the line before they eventually found the whitewash. The kick seemed to be good but was judged by referee Pearce Mara to have missed so the scores were tied. Vassar quickly gained field position and maintained their pattern of play which was key. Centers Zach Kent and Akeel St. Vil worked very hard to get over the gain line and only good tackling from their counterparts prevented big gains. But in the end the ball was worked wide to fullback Alan Hagins who ran well to set up Jesses Myhill for a good try. Myhill did well when he received the ball as he still had to beat a couple of defenders to put Vassar ahead 12-5.

Vassar had to absorb another period of sustained Columbia pressure but then when they did get into the Columbia 22 it was a simple run from Dan Flynn at a penalty that saw the Brewers in the lead at 17-5. The lead was a result of a very effective lineout with Alan Kenney and Max Astruc soaring high to claim their own ball as well as stealing some Columbia throws. The Vassar scrum ball was quickly heeled to fill-in Number 8 Nic Placeres and the usually blindside flanker ran swiftly to good effect. The Vassar defense in the first half was much improved and good line speed pressured the Columbia backs into errors.

Columbia switched their tactics at the half with a lot more kicking from 10 and managed to find space behind the Vassar wings. They kicked low into the slight breeze and it proved effective with some bizarre bounces on the artificial turf. 17-5 became 17-10 then 17-15 as Columbia notched 2 tries using this tactic in 15 minutes. The players might have thought the game was tied 17-17 but that earlier kick had been ruled wide. It seemed that the tide had turned and with some players tiring things did not look good for the visitors. But Vassar Number 8 Nic Placeres had other ideas and he darted over from a scrum 10 yards out and Vassar led 22-15.

So with just less than 20 minutes left the upset was a real possibility. Vassar was also fortunate to have a great number of supporters in the crowd. Not only were the women's team there as they were to play at 6:00 pm, but family, friends, and alumni had taken the subway to Baker Field to cheer for their Brewers. The team is indebted to these loyal supporters.

Alas, it was the home side that finished much the stronger to earn the victory. However, the last try was harsh to say the least. Vassar's Jerry Dieudonne was put away down the right wing and tackled just short of the line after an exciting period of open play. It would have been a fitting end in a losing cause if he had scored leaving it 37-27. But the ball spilled forward and was gathered by the Columbia defense who launched an attack from their own goal-line. Players were scattered all over the field following the desperate Vassar attack and Columbia ran hard into space to score at the other end.

Not only had the fruit eluded Vassar's grasp but now the water had receded!

It had been a great game for the spectators although the Vassar Men were crushed with this final blow.

Team: 15 Alan Hagins 14 Jerry Dieudonne 13 Zach Kent 12 Akeel St. Vil 11 Jesse Myhill 10 Nick Graham 9 Karl Foley 1 Roman Kopit 2 Alex Voynow 3 Dan Flynn 4 Zach Rippe 5 Max Astruc 6 Eric Quinson 7 Alan Kenney 8 Nic Placeres. Subs: Louis Khourey for Zach Rippe, Ben Chipkin for Jesse Myhill, Eli Vargas for Alan Hagins.

Next: Saturday April 6, 2013 Vassar College Men versus Colgate University Men kick-off 3:00 p.m.