POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 25, 2014) - This was a tough physical contest from start to finish. In the past Vassar has swept aside Hofstra but it was a confident team that travelled from Long Island and they not only were prepared to compete but they had a few strong runners that gave the Vassar defenders a torrid time.  In the end the Brewers prevailed scoring 5 tries and adding 1 conversion but it was a battle for the entire 80 minutes.
 
Vassar College Women 27 v 17 Hofstra University Women
Tries: Meg Slattery (2), Kathleen Gould (2), & Darienne Jones (1).
Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (1).
 
One team dominated territory, the set piece, and for the most part possession in the first 40 minutes and it was Vassar. The Vassar scrum pushed back the Hofstra 8 consistently and either stole ball or disrupted the quality of the possession. Those same Vassar forwards also worked hard and enjoyed some good line breaks which when coupled with strong rucking got them field position. But it was not easy as the Hofstra tacklers were slow to roll away and the fringe defenders quickly got into position.
 
The first 25 minutes was also a somewhat stop and start affair as referee Harley Griffiths blew often for infringements and it was hard for either team to establish any tempo. Vassar opened the scoring when captain Meg Slattery drove over from a lineout as the forwards won and drove up field. The try seemed to energize Hofstra and the visitors began to win some ball and attack around the fringes of the rucks. Hofstra scored when a loose pass found the inside center and at that moment she looked as if she was about to be buried. But two missed tackles and she had darted down the middle to score under the posts. The game was tied 5-5 as the conversion attempt hit the crossbar.
 
Vassar responded well and got back on the horse battling forward. But there were too many turnovers and minor breakdowns that allowed Hofstra to thwart the home team. Multiple phase rugby this was not and it benefitted Hofstra.
 
However, in the last 2 minutes before the close of the first half Vassar did manage to re-cycle the ball a number of times and eventually it was Kathleen Gould who went over by the right goal post. Mary Margaret McElduff made no mistake with the conversion and it was 12-5 after 40 minutes.
 
The main issue in the first half had been missed tackles and those Vassar players will have to make amends in future games. Intensity has to be ramped up and the contact area needs to be won.
 
The first 15 minutes of the second half was all Hofstra. They earned field position when Vassar gave up a couple of penalties and then went through a number of phases stretching the Vassar defense. But Vassar held and managed to push Hofstra back to the halfway line as the tackling from Fritzson and Thomas had been effective.
 
At a scrum the Hofstra forwards won the ball and after attacking down the blindside the ball came back to their flyhalf who kicked in behind the Vassar backs. Vassar fullback Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild had just made the tackle in that blindside attack and so there was no–one at home team at all! The Hofstra player gathered the ball on the first bounce and sprinted to score between the sticks and it was 12-12.
 
The women of Vassar immediately chased the restart kick and established position in the Hofstra 22. A lineout was driven and although it looked like a try would be awarded the decision was that the ball had been held up in-goal. From the ensuing scrum the forwards marched the ball over the line and Meg Slattery scored. Mariah Ghant will be expecting a bonus in her paycheck this week, as will all the forwards! Vassar led 17-12 with about 20 minutes left in the game.
 
The next score came after some intense goal line pressure and the ball was passed to hooker Kathleen Gould who dived over and now the lead was 10 points at 22-12. Hofstra showed a good deal of pride and managed to win some ball in the loose. The flyhalf went through and linked with her center and with about 5 minutes to go it was 22-17 and a converted try could win the game.
 
But it was Vassar's Darienne Jones who would score the final try and secure the win. It was very fitting, for like all the forwards she had run hard all day long. She picked up from a ruck about 10 yards out and would not be denied.

-Head Coach Tony Brown