POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 5, 2014) – What a difference a day makes! The Vassar Women had just 3 changes from their highly successful fall line-up and yet on this brisk and chilly spring Saturday they looked a mere shell of that regional winning team. In a game that was painful to watch, as both the Brewers and the visiting Princeton Tigers made a slew of mistakes, it was Vassar who rarely put any phases together. Princeton was ravaged by injuries so they have an excuse or two but the Vassar Women looked uninterested and disjointed.

Vassar College Women 21 v 26 Princeton University Women
Tries: Margaret Kwateng (2), Dallas Robinson (1).
Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (3).
 
Vassar fell behind early when the Princeton backs slipped through and scored under the posts. They converted the try and went up 7-0. But Vassar responded very well and went though multiple phases to earn good field position. Margaret Kwateng bossed the game for this period and the forwards had an edge in the rucks. After 15 minutes Vassar scored a good try and the conversion that followed made it 7-7. One felt that the home team might settle down and find their rhythm.
 
But credit the Tigers as they tackled hard and competed strongly at the breakdown. Vassar was being turned over far too easily as they presented the ball with little or no regard to whether it was most likely to be won. The turnovers caught the defense unawares and Princeton made good use of the open spaces.
 
Twice the Tigers had the line at their mercy only to knock-on or drop the ball, so at least two tries went begging. They did finally get a second try in the half and when the teams turned around after 40 minutes they deservedly led.
 
Missed tackles, turnovers, and very little of their open play being synchronized all contributed to Vassar's downfall. Every player worked hard and had moments of good play but it was like an engine spluttering with the timing all-wrong.
 
Forwards missed timed their runs off the fringes, players missed simple tackles, or to be more honest there were occasions when they just stepped out of the runners way! You don't win rugby games without simple tackles being made.
 
Princeton led 19-7 before Vassar pulled closer and was within one score at 14-19. But once again a turnover and a couple of missed tackles allowed the visitors to widen the gap at 26-14.
 
Vassar was running out of time and had their backs to the wall. Dallas Robinson scored a hard won try to make it 21-26 but just 4 minutes now remained. It was not enough time to breech the Princeton defense and Vassar was defeated.
 
There should be some soul searching this week as the Brewers still have 2 more 15s games this spring, both at home. They need to put a spring in their step and get back to dominating the physical battle. Most importantly everybody must tackle.
 
Team: 15 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild 14 Anne Fritzson 13 Rachel Thompson 12 Emma Kading 11 Mary Margaret McElduff 10 Shira idris 9 Margaret Kwateng 1 Darienne Jones 2 Nathalie Freeman 3 Mariah Ghant 4 Sophia Rutkin 5 Taylor Nunley 6 Emma Elbaum 7 Hannah Fink 8 Dallas Robinson.  Subs: Mystika Strawder for Sophia Rutkin.
 
Overall record: 11-4-0.

Next: Sunday April 13th, 2014 versus Fairfield University at Vassar College Farm Kick-off 2:00 pm

Vassar College Women
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"?B?"?v 28? Princeton University Women "B"?

?I?t was always going to be a tough, tough task for the Vassar Women's "B" side as they faced the same Princeton lineup bar 3 players. Princeton did play players out of position but the inexperience of the Vassar "B" team would prove their downfall.

There was plenty of good hard effort and a host of open field tackles were made but in the end analysis the Princeton Women could exploit the gaps Vassar left open.

Vassar lost lock forward Isabella Luksh with a suspected broken nose and she had made some good tackles so that was a real shame. Ellen Quist battled away at flyhalf and got plenty of practice with her restarts! There is potential for lots of improvement and these players will have learned a lot in what was for many one of their first games.

Team: 15 Molly Osborn 14 Parisa Halaji-Dezfuli 13 Leigh Yakubowski 12 Mary Margaret McElduff 11 Priscilla Yevoo 10 Ellen Quist 9 Zoe Kurtz 1 Lizzie Bennett 2 Emily Bender 3 Yasani Spencer 4 Isabella Luksh 5 Lauren Workman 6 Mystika Strawder 7 Elizabeth Berridge 8 Anna Carias. Subs: Taylor Nunley for Isabella Luksh.