POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 1, 2015) – There can be no doubting the intenseness of this local rivalry. Marist drove the short distance to the Vassar Farm and despite carrying some injuries and missing a couple starters they threw the kitchen sink at Vassar. Or rather, Vassar threw it and Marist tackle heroically. At the half it was a 10-point game which bore testimony to the visitors defense but by the conclusion of the game possession and territory told the tale.
Vassar College Women 55 v 10 Marist College Women
Tries: Taylor Nunley (2), Cierra Thomas (2), Rachel Elson (1), Abby Alexander (1), Darienne Jones (1), & Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild (2).
Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (5).
Make no mistake, despite the final score line this was a hard fought contest for the full 80 minutes. Vassar never relinquished the lead but at the halfway stage it was a 20-10 game and Marist must have been well pleased with their effort.
The Vassar pack worked hard throughout the game and they will need to replicate that kind of effort and some as they advance to the Conference Final next Sunday. In the first half Vassar dominated possession and territory so it was something of a surprise that they let in two tries. Both came from poor tackling and that has to be remedied.
The first Vassar try was scored by Taylor Nunley who would make Meg Slattery beam with pride such are the similarities in their game. The senior is all action and was well supported by the forwards as they rucked well allowing her to dive over.
Marist quickly replied with a try to make it 5-5 after 10 minutes and then it was Vassar's Cierra Thomas who was next to find the goal line. The hard work of the pack allowed the ball to be pushed wide and Rachel Elson ran well to make it 15-5 and as Vassar kept possession one felt that a big score was probable. Abigail Alexander scored when fed the ball following a penalty play and although Mary Margaret McElduff had not found her kicking boots Vassar led 20-5 with just 10 minutes left in the half.
Marist had exposed the fringe of the ruck for their first try but the second was scored a little further out. Alexander will not enjoy watching her attempt at a tackle and as the halftime whistle blew it was 20-10.
The difference in the second half was that Vassar restricted their turnovers although the first 5 minutes was not good. Also McElduff connected on 5 conversions and the constant attacking by Vassar found holes in the Marist defense as the latter team tired.
One has to single out Darienne Jones for her exceptional rucking technique. She is a tall player but gets as low as necessary whenever she hits the rucks. She was perhaps a tad lucky to stay on the field as one tackle looked high but there were no complaints from the Marist ball carrier and play continued. Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild has really developed as a player this year and she ran well to score two late tries. It was good to see a balance of 4 tries to the forwards and 5 for the backs as the team heads in to playoff games this fall.
Vassar will need to improve their support of the ball carrier to ensure possession and the aforementioned tackling must be better.
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: Oshana Reich for Kristina Catomeris.
Overall record: 7-1-0
Next week: Sunday November 8th, 2015 Tri-State Conference Final at Vassar KO 12:30 pm versus Rutgers University Women.
--VASSAR--
