POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 14, 2013) - The Vassar College Women hosted Drew University Women and had to make quite a few late changes to the lineup on account of injuries to starters. This was in part due to having participated in the Tri-State 7s Tournament played the day before but also because the bumps and bruises of the season need time to mend. The Beast of the East Tournament is next weekend and some players needed rest. In the end it made no difference to the outcome as the physicality and game structure of the Vassar Women was hard for the Drew players to handle. The shuffled lineup uncovered a couple of jewels and worked well producing 10 tries along the way.

Vassar College Women 54 v 5 Drew University Women
Tries: Tamasha Persaud (1), Nichelle Jackson (3), Shanaye Williams (1), Hannah Fink (2), Patty Walton (1), Meg Slattery (1), & Penalty Try (1).
Cons: Meg Slattery (2).

This game was always going to be a step-up for the Drew University Women so Vassar rested some starters. The home team would have rested more but for some injuries that forced late changes. Starting fullback Laura Howard, center Cierra Thomas, wing Marissa Davis, flyhalf Hannah Bober, and Number 8 Nicole Guererro all watched from the touchline on a chilly brisk day.

The Vassar backs were so depleted that tighthead prop Shanaye Williams was pressed into service at 12 and flanker Rachel Thompson was at 13. Meera Chatterjee got her first full start on the wing as did Shira Idris at flyhalf. The opening exchanges saw Drew have a couple of early forays into the Vassar half but the New Jersey school was not a strong rucking unit. This allwed Vassar the lions share of possession and with some very determined runners they were able to maintain continuity.

Tamasha Persaud, fresh from her 7s exploits, zipped around the defense for try number 1 and then Nichelle Jackson scoed the first of her three tries on the day. The top scorers for Vassar are Jackson and Shanaye Williams quite a statement from the front row union as both are prop forwards. Jackson's hat-trick was a personal goal for the season and when she collected her third, Vassar's final score there was an almighty cheer from the touchline.

Shanaye Williams will have taken note and she ran very effectively getting one try. So with just a few games left Jackson has 17 tries and Williams 16. However, although try scorers always seem to get mentioned a host of other players did the hard work and had good games. Nora Kaye playing her first game at hooker looked confident and quick. Shira idris at 10 was bright and threatening. She did drop a couple of passes so  Hannah Bober can sleep easy for now and Darienne Jones ran with authority.

It was also great to see Hannah Fink collect a brace as she has toiled long and hard this season. She is really a flanker in heart and spirit but has done admirably at wing and fullback for the Brewers this year. Flanker Meg Slattery was her usual all action self and it is hard to believe she is still a sophomore such is her decision making. the backrow was completed by Patty Walton filling in very ably at 8. Meanwhile Sandy Pogarcic at flanker and Sophia Rutkin at lock did well. The latter took a bump but had run ellusively earlier.

At the half it was 20-0 as Vassar had scored 4 tries and that was very much due to the determined Drew tackling. Drew made a step up in opponent and produced a strong first half in defense. But playing defense constantly is a long road to travel and as time went by fatigue played a role. Vassar runners were able to break through and stamp their authority on the game.

Team: 15 Hannah Fink 14 Tamasha Persaud 13 Rachel Thompson 12 Shanaye Williams 11 Meera Chatterjee 10 Shira Idris 9 Yael Schwartz 1 Nichelle Jackson 2 Nora Kaye 3 Darienne Jones 4 Sophia Rutkin 5 Leigh Yakubowski 6 sandy Pogarcic 7 Meg Slattery 8 Patty Walton. Subs: Claire Oxford for Sophia Rutkin, Jordan Ross for Tamasha Persaud.

Next: Saturday & Sunday April 20 & 21, 2013 at The Beast of the East Tournament in Portsmouth, R.I.
Overall record 2012-13: 9-4-1.