PORTSMOUTH, RI (April 21, 2013) - In the tournament semifinal Vassar played Kutztown University Women and this one was a knockdown drag-out affair. The big Kutztown pack have dominated teams this year but found the Vassar Women in uncompromising form. The first half was all Vassar but they just could not manage to punch in a try. In the end it was the mobility of the Vassar forwards that made the difference.

Vassar College Women 10 v 8 Kutztown University Women
Tries: Laura Howard (1) & Nicole Guererro (1).

Vassar defeated a team in Kutztown that has not lost this spring and they were a confident squad. The Vassar forwards scrummaged well and outrucked their opponents. But initially, the slow ball at rucks was an issue and Kutztown took the lead 3-0.

But Hannah Bober pulled a few strings and got the ball into Laura Howard's hands which stretched the defense.

Vassar went up 5-3 and then Nicole Guererro ran with real purpose to make it 10-3. But Kutztown showed a never say quit attitude and grabbed a late consolation try.

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 Patty Walton 3 Shanaye Williams 4 Sandy Pogarcic 5 Darienne Jones 6 Rachel Thompson 7 Meg Slattery 8 Nicole Guererro.

Championship Game
Vassar College Women 5 v 22 University at Albany Women
Tries: Laura Howard (1).

Vassar just wasn't able to breakdown the Albany defense and they definitely got on the wrong side of the referee which didn't help matters.

There was a massive effort from all and no-one could fault the commitment but Vassar in the end just didn't have the legs. Albany qualified for nationals this spring and have played some tough games that prepared them well for this tournament. They deserved the victory and look like being a tough customer in the future.

Laura Howard scored a good try that put Vassar ahead 5-3 but the fast ball didn't come from the rucks and Albany tackled better than previous opponents.

Unfortunately, Darienne Jones sublocated her kneecap and had to get treatment and Rachel Thompson also had to be replaced. It was a somber finish to the weekend.

But credit the squad with getting to the final. In the last 9 visits to this tournament the Vassar women have made the final game - 5 Championships and 4 Runner-up positions.

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.

Overall record 2012-13: 11-5-2.