POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 121, 2014) - Two undefeated teams met at Vassar this morning and after 80 minutes it was the Brewers who were at 5-1 having been outscored 4 tries to 3. The Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University battled and tackled and despite being 10-0 down came back to take a 12-10 lead around the 55 minute mark. Both teams have won their respective division so there is the possibility that they will meet again in 3 weeks. The Brewers certainly hope that will be the case.
 
Vassar College Women 15 v 24 Rutgers University Women
Tries: Cierra Thomas (1), Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild (1), & Nathalie Freeman (1).
 
The first quarter of the game was all Vassar as Rutgers decided to not contest rucks and just set-up a defensive wall across the field. Vassar dominated possession and territory and scored two good tries. The first when Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild outflanked the Rutgers defense and the second when Cierra Thomas ran strongly through the middle. Maybe it was a case of thinking that it was going to be easier than they first thought but in any event Vassar allowed Rutgers back into the game.
 
A 10-0 lead became 10-7 when Rutgers slipped through a couple of tackles and the try was converted. The visitors now had a foot on the ladder and began their climb.
At the half Vassar led 10-7 and they started well once again dominating possession. They quickly got into the Rutgers 22 but had some "Whiteline fever" and did not score. A penalty allowed Rutgers to clear their line and just minutes later against the run of play Vassar went behind after a smartly taken penalty and it was 12-10.
 
It was frustrating for the home team as they had plenty of possession and good territory but was behind on the scoreboard. Tackles were not held and some structure went out of the game as the feisty Rutgers players lived off scrapes of ball.
 
Another try made it 19-10 as Vassar had the ball ripped a couple of times from a players grasp, gave away a penalty, or slipped off a tackle. There was still about 20 minutes left to get two scores and with a bit more composure and discipline it was certainly possible.
 
A good 10-12 minutes of pressure right on the Rutgers line saw Anne Fritzson go close, Cierra Thomas also went within a yard of the line, and there were numerous forward plunges but the Rutgers defense held. They tackled well and showed great character. But finally Nathalie Freeman went over and it was 19-15. With just 3 minutes to play Vassar would need to keep possession but alas they did not and with the team committed to attack Rutgers scored to seal the win 24-15.
 
Team: 15 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild 14 Tamasha Persaud 13 Anne Fritzson 12 Cierra Thomas 11 Priscilla Yevoo 10 Mary Margaret McElduff 9 Yael Schwartz 1 Darienne Jones 2 Kathleen Gould 3 Mariah Ghant 4 Sophia Rutkin 5 Leigh Yakubowski 6 Taylor Nunley 7 Nathalie Freeman 8 Meg Slattery.
 
Record: 5-1
 
Next week: Sunday October 19^th, 2014 versus Stony Brook University kick-off 1:00 p.m.
 
Vassar College Women "B" 5 v 43 Sacred Heart University XV
Tries: Lizzie Berridge (1).
 
The only way to improve is to challenge oneself and that is exactly what the Vassar players wanted to do. They took on a Sacred Heart team that had a few "A" side players and put up a good fight for periods of the game. But if the ball was turned over it was a case of being punished by the opposition.
 
Too often Vassar was out of position and slow to react to the change of possession. Not only did it allow the Sacred Heart ball carriers to get up steam defensive lines were chaotic. Michelle Urrutia and Elizabeth Berridge tackled and tackled and tackled but one needs every player to put in a shift.
 
Interestingly the scrums were strong and the rucking quite good but ball placement left a lot to be desired. So it was that the plot was developed as Vassar held the ball for a while, made some ground, and then when turned over they'd be scrambling to make tackles.
 
Next week Stony Brook are the opponents and a good week of practice will do this team a ton of good.
 
Team: 15 Aja Dunn 14 Abigail Alexander 13 Amanda Saich 12 Michelle Urrutia 11 Andrea Ramsay 10 Claire Fondrie-Teitler 9 Jyen Wong 1 Lizzie Bennett 2 Ellen Quist 3 Nicole Steele 4 Elaina Peterkin 5 Skye Damon 6 Sarah Mawhinney 7 Elizabeth Berridge 8 Michelle Broomes. Subs: Min Chen for Michelle Urrutia, Deva Zheng for Amanda Saich.

-Head Coach Tony Brown