POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 26, 2014) – One could not have scripted a better finale for the Vassar seniors playing their final 15s game. Four seniors took the field - Margaret Kwateng and Emma Kading scored a brace of tries each, while flankers Hannah Fink and Emma Elbaum caused havoc among the Southern Connecticut ball carriers. The Vassar team went up 5-0 and then 10-0 after about 10 minutes of play and led from that point on until the final whistle by never less than 10 points. At the end Kading had moved from center to fullback and Kwateng from center to Number 8, further testimony to their suitcase full of skills.

Vassar College Women 41 v 21 Southern Connecticut State University Women
Tries: Shira Idris (1), Margaret Kwateng (2), Nathalie Freeman (2), Emma Kading (2).
Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (3).

The year is 1995 and the first opponent for Vassar's new rugby coach is Southern Connecticut! Joanna O'Leary and Mindy Lauck played in the centers  that day while up front Kristin Monroe was an experienced leader and at scrumhalf Liz Alkire ran the show. The Brewers played Southern at the Beantown Tournament and went down 15-5 but they showed the same fighting spirit that the current team embodies. By the conclusion of today Vassar had run in 7 tries and kicked 3 conversions to earn the victory.

Flyhalf Shira Idris opened the Vassar account and looked dangerous with the ball in hand. Unfortunately, she left the field at halftime having bumped her head and was replaced by freshman Ellen Quist. Vassar had a significant edge in the rucks and that meant more possession. It was little surprise that tries 2 and 3 came courtesy of Margaret Kwateng. What was a surprise was the fact that Kwateng was playing at inside center. Anne Fritzson was at scrumhalf and she did very well for a first outing in this demanding role. Her distribution was decent and she gave the Southern defense headaches around the fringes of the ruck with her running.

Once up 17-0 Vassar continued to get solid efforts from all and it was completely against the run of play that the Southern Connecticut center burst through to score. A scoreline of 17-7 looked a good deal better for the visitors.

Vassar hooker, Nathalie Freeman, quickly regained the initiative when she scored the first of her two tries on the day. She worked very, very hard and thoroughly deserved her moment on the podium in the sun. So the half concluded with Vassar up 24-7, four tries to one.

The good news for the Brewers was that they had monopolized the ball with their dominant scrum, efficient lineout, and strong rucking. Ball carriers had looked good as they got on the front foot and over the gainline. Prop Mariah Ghant, flankers Fink and Elbaum were complimented by Taylor Nunley and Darienne Jones. It was also refreshing to see Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild getting to attack out wide with the wings.

Fritzson at 9 was taking quick tap penalties when presented with the opportunity and Idris distributed well. Southern found it difficult to cope with the attack and Vassar started the second half strongly. The Brewers scored first to open up what would be their biggest lead of the game, 22 points, as they led 29-7. It was that woman Freeman who showed some real pace and made it around under the posts.

Southern had an inside center who ran with strength and she was pretty quick. She kept them in the contest with all their scores and 29-7 became 29-14.

Vassar was now substituting freely and credit the players for the team kept it's shape. The story line was becoming one which would highlight the new players rather than dwell on the try scorers! Lizzie Bennett scrummaged well and got around the park. Spencer did well in both the set piece and in open play; Priscilla Yevoo introduced herself to Southern Connecticut by way of two massive tackles that stopped the ball carrier dead in her tracks!

Southern fought back and scored two more tries making the second half  a close affair as they put together 14 points to Vassar's 17.

Congratulations to the Vassar Women who finish the year 13-4-0 and a special thanks to all the seniors as they end up with 50 wins in 4 years.

Bring on Fall 2014!

Team: 15 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild 14 Molly Osborn 13 Emma Kading 12 Margaret Kwateng 11 Mary Margaret McElduff 10 Shira idris 9 Anne Fritzson 1 Darienne Jones 2 Nathalie Freeman 3 Mariah Ghant 4 Mystika Strawder 5 Sophia Rutkin 6 Emma Elbaum 7 Hannah Fink 8 Taylor Nunley.  Subs: Yasani Spencer for Mariah Ghant, Lizzie Bennett for Darienne Jones, Priscilla Yevoo for Molly Osborn, Parisa Halaji-Dezfuli for Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild, Zoe Kurtz for Taylor Nunley , Ellen Quist for Shira Idris , Elizabeth Berridge for Sophia Rutkin.
 
Overall record: 13-4-0.

Next: Saturday May 3rd, 2014 versus Vassar Women Alumni XV - Kick-off 11:00 am