PORTSMOUTH, RI (April 20, 2013) - In the mid to late1990s the Vassar Women developed a great rivalry with Southern Connecticut State University. Southern was a tough competitor and always gave a good account of themselves. This year was no different as they tackled and battled throughout in this first round tournament game. In the end it was the Brewers who prevailed in no small measure because of their sheer determination.

Vassar College Women 22 v 0 Southern Connecticut State University Women
Tries: Tamasha Persaud (1), Laura Howard (1), Shanaye Williams (1), Nicole Guererro (1).
Cons: Meg Slattery (1).

It is truly rewarding when players start to blossom and realize their potential. For the past few weeks the Vassar forwards have been in good form and now it seems they take the field expecting to pick up where they left off the previous week. They are a formidable force in the loose as individuals running and as a unit rucking.

The good quality ball has allowed the backs to develop something of a cutting edge. Hannah Bober was able to distribute the ball to her centers and it was good to see Chelsea Boccagno back on the paddock. She made line breaks as did her partner Tamasha Persaud with the latter scoring the first try as she cut back against the defensive flow.

Laura Howard is enjoying life at 15 and credit goes to Bober for hitting her in stride. Nicole Guererro showed good acceleration as did Shanaye Williams and Nichelle Jackson. In fact the same could be said of all the forwards as they consistently broke tackles.

Williams and Guererro scored tries and Meg Slattery slotted a conversion as Vassar moved on to the second round to face conference rivals Rutgers.

Team: 15 Laura Howard 14 Marissa Davis 13 Tamasha Persaud 12 Chelsea Boccagno 11 Hannah Fink 10 Hannah Bober 9 Yael Schwartz 1 Nichelle Jackson 2 Rachel Thompson 3 Shanaye Williams 4 Patty Walton 5 Darienne Jones 6 Sandy Pogarcic 7 Meg Slattery 8 Nicole Guererro. Subs: Claire Oxford for Patty Walton, Jordan Ross for Marissa Davis, Shira Idris for Hannah Bober, Leigh Yakubowski for Sandy Pogarcic, Meera Chatterjee for Hannah Fink.


Round 2 - Conference Rival Match-up

In the Fall Vassar defeated Rutgers University Women in a high scoring affair 39-29 and they would need the same formula if they were to succeed again. Monopolize possession and keep the ball from getting into the hands of the flyhalf. "Kiwi" plays 10 for Rutgers and is a silky runner as well as good kicker of the ball. Vassar dominated the first half and should have put this game to rest and in the end they held on and advanced.

Vassar College Women 12 v 12 Rutgers University Women
Tries: Dallas Robinson (1) & Meg Slattery (1).
Cons: Meg Slattery (1).

Four times Vassar was held up in-goal and they could have led 20-0 at the half and that would have been a fair reflection such was the territorial and possesional dominance they enjoyed.

In the scrums Vassar crushed their opponent driving them back and stealing the ball. This was a real dog fight as Rutgers defended bravely and the foot of their flyhalf relieved the pressure a number of times. In the end Dallas Robinson, playing with an injured ankle sold an outrageous dummy and then athletically jumped in for a score and Vassar led 7-0. Rutgers kept trying and in the second half managed an unconverted try of their own which left the score at 7-5.

Then an inspired period of continuity ended with Meg Slattery scoring a critical try from close range and Vassar led 12-5.

But Vassar was not being helped as the Rutgers scrum kept crumbling yet the scrum was re-set rather than being penalized. Although Rutgers scored to tie the game at 12-12 when the ball shot out the side of a ruck that Vassar had won, the fact that it finished at 12-12 and both teams had scored 2 tries and 1 conversion meant that the next tie-breaker was first team to score a try. Vassar advance to the semifinal tomorrow and a game against Kutztown at 12:00 noon.

There were many magical moments in this game and huge credit is due all the Vassar Women for sticking to their guns. Marissa Davis made a big tackle late on that probably saved a try. Laura Howard too was outstanding in defense while the running of Guererro, Willliams, and Jackson was exemplary.

Team: 15 Laura Howard 14 Marissa Davis 13 Tamasha Persaud 12 Chelsea Boccagno 11 Hannah Fink 10 Hannah Bober 9 Yael Schwartz 1 Nichelle Jackson 2 Rachel Thompson 3 Shanaye Williams 4 Patty Walton 5 Darienne Jones 6 Dallas Robinson 7 Meg Slattery 8 Nicole Guererro. Subs: Sandy Pogarcic for Rachel Thompson.

Overall record 2012-13: 10-4-2.