POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 11, 2015) – The Hudson Valley is experiencing something of an Indian summer and just like last week the weather was perfect for playing rugby. The Marist College field is located down by the river and affords spectators a wonderful view of the fall foliage on the west bank of the Hudson. Such a tranquil setting seemed incongruous with the local derby that took place as the maroon clad Vassar women took on the red and white hooped Marist Red Foxes. A total of 12 tries were scored and at the end the conference playoff picture had come into focus.

Vassar College Women 69 v 5 Marist College Women

Tries: Darienne Jones (2), Sarah Mawhinney (1), Mary Margaret McElduff (1), Cierra Thomas (3), Mariah Ghant (1), Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild (1), Nathalie Freeman (1), Rachel Elson (1).

Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (7).

In the opening 5 minutes the Vassar forwards drove over the goal line but the ball carrier, Amanda Saich, did not realize she was in-goal and the whistle blew before she put the ball down! Despite her teammates shouting and pounding a try went begging! But a few minutes later her front 5 colleague Darienne Jones drove over and Vassar led 5-0. The dry and sunny conditions allied to good footing allowed the players to move the ball cleanly and the Vassar backs looked more dangerous than in previous weeks.

Sophomore Sarah Mawhinney scored her first Vassar try when she supported Taylor Nunley after the pack had stolen a ball against the head. In fact the Vassar forwards would be in complete control at the scrum all afternoon and it provided a good platform for attacks. The first 15 minutes also saw flyhalf Mary Margaret McElduff have a good spell as she put in a couple of tackles, blocked a kick, and then scored a try from the just inside the Marist half which she duly converted. Vassar led 19-0 at this point and it was clear that if they kept their shape and defended well it was going to be a long day for Marist.

Taylor Nunley and Nathalie Freeman ran all day with purpose and broke the gain line. In the backs it was Cierra Thomas who impressed as she cut through, dodged, and broke tackles proving a real handful for the Marist defense. By the end of the game she had tallied a hat trick and put in some crunching tackles.

There were far too many turnovers by Vassar for them to feel overly pleased with themselves. When they look at the video they would do well to count the number of times the ball was stolen at rucks. In a closer game more continuity and control of possession will be essential. At the half it was 34-0 and Marist had only been in the Vassar half for about 4 minutes in total as the ball they had won was deep in their own territory.

Cierra Thomas ran in her second try of the day when she fended off a host of clutching Marist tacklers. The home team was not enjoying facing the angriest of the Vassar runners! All the team would do well to consider being more punishing of tacklers. If you are going to be tackled then at least hit the tackler and make them pay a price!

Vassar rang the changes in the second half and it was good to see freshmen Oshana Reich, Miranda Scarlata, and Jennie To get some action. Rachel Elson got some time at flyhalf and slipped through the now tired Marist defense for a try and Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild also was put through for a score under the posts.

The question for this Brewer team is how will they fare against stiffer opposition? They will need to push themselves in practice and in the gym so that they are prepared for the tougher games ahead. You don't want to wait and see how you feel when you are exhausted and 7 points down with 10 minutes left. You need to have been there physically and have developed the mental fortitude to dig deeper to succeed.

Team: 15 Rachel Elson 14 Anne Fritzson 13 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild 12 Cierra Thomas 11 Abigail Alexander 10 Mary Margaret McElduff 9 Jyen Wong 1 Darienne Jones 2 Kristina Catomeris 3 Mariah Ghant 4 Lauren Workman 5 Amanda Saich 6 Sarah Mawhinney 7 Nathalie Freeman 8 Taylor Nunley. Subs: Jennie To for Jyen Wong, Mollie Osborn for Abigail Alexander, Rachel Jones for Anne Fritzson, Oshana Reich for Lauren Workman, Miranda Scarlata for Sarah Mawhinney, Claire Fondrie-Teitler for Amanda Saich.

Overall record: 5-0-0

Next week: Saturday October 17th, 2015 To Be Announced (Opponent to be confirmed).

Tri-State Conference Championship Fall 2015

Wildcard Round 10-18-15

WC 1 - Fairfield University Women at Molloy College Women

WC 2 - Siena College Women at SUNY-New Paltz Women

Quarterfinal Round 10-24-15

Q1 - Winner of WC 1 at Vassar College

Q2 - Marist College at Stony Brook University

Q3 - Hofstra University at University at Albany

Q4 - Winner of WC 2 at Rutgers University

Semifinals 11-1-15 at higher seed

S1 - Winner of Q1 v Winner of Q2

S2 - Winner of Q3 v Winner of Q4

Final & Third Place game 11-7-15 at Vassar College

Third place game Loser of S1 v Loser of S2

Championship game Winner of S1 v Winner of S2

--VASSAR--