FAIRFIELD, CT (November 9, 2014) - The Vassar College Men, the 2013 Tri-State Conference Champions, faced the Fairfield University Men at Fairfield in the Conference Final. Both teams were undefeated in divisional play and with perfect dry, sunny conditions and a good size crowd the stage was set for a good game. Fairfield has been prolific averaging 63 points per game and they signaled their intent early and often.
 
Vassar College Men 14 v 50 Fairfield University Men
Tries: Alex Voynow (1) & Jesse Myhill (1).
Cons: Nich Graham (2).

Fairfield scored 4 tries in each half to wreck the Vassar dream of repeating as conference champions. It was a frustrating game for the Brewers as they had the lion's share of possession and edged Fairfield for territory. The set piece for Vassar was solid as the scrum took a couple against the head and they were not troubled on their own put in. The lineouts went well so there was plenty of ball.
 
So how was it that the Brewers conceded 4 tries in each half? How was it that they only managed 2 tries of their own? The Achilles heel for the Brewers has been their defense this year. Last week they conceded 6 tries to Sacred Heart University but scored 7 and kicked well. It didn't seem a concern since the result was never seriously in doubt. But credit is due Fairfield for making the line breaks and doing a better job of tackling thus thwarting the Vassar attack.
 
The Fairfield tries were exciting for the home fans to watch. Vassar dominated the first 5 minutes going through multiple phases but then lost a lineout on the Fairfield 5 meter line. Fairfield ran it and after one ruck they made a line break and sprinted 90 meters to the other end and it was 7-0. The next 20 minutes was very much Vassar possession and the Brewers worked their way into the Fairfield half. They squandered a chance to score a try when they tapped quickly under the Fairfield posts and were driven back. Then, uncharacteristically, Nich Graham missed a penalty and so instead of being a 7-5, 7-7, or 7-3 game, it was still 7-0. Moments later Fairfield cashed in with a good try after Vassar missed some tackles and it was 12-0. The home team was now buoyant and they scored another 2 tries with strong running and by exploiting poor Vassar defense.
 
It was 24-0 at the half and Vassar would need to score first to have any real chance of getting back into the contest. The Vassar team had plenty of support as family, friends, and members of the women's team had made the journey to Connecticut but alas it was Fairfield who scored from distance yet again. At 31-0 with about 25 minutes left the team needed a lift.  They were helped by the fact that 2 yellow cards saw Fairfield down but the cards should have come earlier in the first half when their were multiple infringements after a warning.
 
Finally, a clean lineout saw Alex Voynow zip over and it was 31-7. The Vassar driving lineout has plagued Fairfield over the years and they had done their homework for this game stopping the drive in the first half. The Voynow try was a dummy drive as he peeled around the back with the ball. It was too little too late and despite some good phase play by Vassar whenever the ball was turned over Fairfield were a serious threat. They had a powerful midfield and they ran confidently.
 
Vassar did score a nice consolation try at the end when from a set scrum they went up the middle of the field and then moved the ball wide but it was mere window dressing as it was the Fairfield University Stags that advance to the Wildcard Round of the USA Rugby Division II Men's Collegiate Championship.
 
The Vassar team finishes with a record of 8-2-0 and will regroup over the winter with strength and condition workouts ready for an exciting spring season of 15s and 7s.
 
Team: 15 Joe Simon 14 Stoddard Meigs 13 Jacob Adelgren 12 Kenta Hasui 11 Jesse Myhill 10 Nich Graham 9 Jake Sheehy 1 Adam D'Agostino 2 Alex Voynow 3 John Winton 4 John Loree 5 Louis Khourey 6 Justin Nam 7 Erik Quinson 8 Geoff Matthes.
 
Record: 8-2-0
Next week: Spring Season 2015

- Head Coach Tony Brown