- Head Tony Brown

A Glimpse of the Future

NEW PALTZ, NY (April 26, 2015) - This beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon the Vassar Women swept aside fellow finalists SUNY-New Paltz and, having won their 2 previous games, earned the tournament title. A total of 27 Vassar Women represented the college over 3 games that included wins against the University at Albany and Bard College. Of those 27 women there were 7 freshmen and all made valuable contributions. In fact, of the 15 that started in the championship game 5 were seniors so two thirds of the team will return next Fall. When Vassar freshman Sarah Mawhinney jinked her way through for a score in the final one had the distinct impression that this was a glimpse into the future!

At SUNY-New Paltz Ruckfest Tournament

Game 1: 10:00 am

Vassar College Women 22 v 10 University at Albany Women

Tries: Lauren Workman (1), Darienne Jones (2), & Mary Margaret McElduff (1).

Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (1).

The abiding memory of this game will be the quick thinking of Vassar loosehead prop Darienne Jones. She led the team in the absence of Meg Slattery and Yael Schwartz and her work rate and effort were second to none. Vassar led 5-0 but the momentum swung back and Albany tied the game in the first half at 5-5. Jones took two golden opportunities to turn the tide and she quick tapped 2 penalty kicks slicing past defenders to score twice and put Vassar ahead 17-5 by halftime.

Albany switched tactics in the second half and kept the ball in with their strong and heavier forwards. Vassar fell off some tackles and all of a sudden it was a close game at 17-10. But then Mary Margaret McElduff slipped through the smallest of openings to score and 22-10 was the final.

New School Record

Mary Margaret McElduff had a banner day. She took the field knowing that if she could connect on 9 successful conversions she would establish a new school record for most conversions in a season. In the Albany game she made 1 of 3. In the following contest she hit 7 of 11 and that tied the record. In the Championship game she iced the cake with 7 of 12. She finished the year with 57 conversions, 7 more than Vassar's previous record holder Alex Milne who slotted 50 in 2006-07, 8 years ago. Kudos to "M&M&M" and she is only a sophomore so look out 2015 through 2017.

Team: 15 Abigail Alexander 14 Tamasha Persaud 13 Cierra Thomas 12 Michelle Urrutia 11 Andrea Ramsay 10 Mary Margaret McElduff 9 Jyen Wong 1 Darienne Jones 2 Kathleen Gould 3 Mariah Ghant 4 Lauren Workman 5 Leigh Yakubowski 6 Nathalie Freeman 7 Elizabeth Berridge 8 Taylor Nunley.

Game 2: 11:40 am

Vassar College Women 69 v 0 Bard College Women

Tries: Ellen Quist (1), Sarah Mawhinney (1), Kristina Catomeris (2), Sophia Rutkin (1), Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild (1), Cierra Thomas (2), Mary Margaret McElduff (1), Taylor Nunley (1), Lizzie Bennett (1).

Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (7).

Next up for Vassar was Bard College and if truth be told they are a novice team. Vassar rung the changes with only Cierra Thomas, Mary Margaret McElduff, and Taylor Nunley playing again. The domination up front was immediate and Vassar ran in 11 tries to advance to the tournament final.

The purpose of this tournament was to see the underclassmen get more playing time with a view to preparing for next fall. Claire Fondrie-Teitler had a good outing at 10 and may well have found a place for her skills and intelligence. Kristina Catomeris certainly has the potential to play "A" side as she showed good acceleration, Aja Dunn is a sure tackler, while Sarah Mawhinney gained valuable experience at Number 8 and did not look out of place.

Sophia Rutkin captained the team in this game and like Jones earlier set a wonderful example. She tackled well and ran strongly.

One of the keys to the win over Bard was the steady influence of Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild in the center. She is a rock solid tackler and what can best be described as a determined runner. Her partnership with the slice and dice of Cierra Thomas is very promising. Thomas on the day scored 4 tries and terrorized all defenders. She is fast and strong and when you add in a touch of abrasiveness you have got the perfect combination!

Team: 15 Aja Dunn 14 Mary Margaret McElduff 13 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild 12 Cierra Thomas 11 Priscilla Yevoo 10 Claire Fondrie-Teitler 9 Shira Idris 1 Nicole Steele 2 Ellen Quist 3 Elaina Peterkin 4 Sophia Rutkin 5 Lizzie Bennett 6 Taylor Nunley 7 Kristina Catomeris 8 Sarah Mawhinney.

Game 3: 2:00 pm

Vassar College Women 74 v 0 SUNY-New Paltz Women

Tries: Taylor Nunley (1), Darienne Jones (1), Cierra Thomas (2), Elizabeth Berridge (1), Nathalie Freeman (2), Jyen Wong (1), Lizzie Bennett (1), Shira Idris (1), Sarah Mawhinney (1), Leigh Yakubowski (1).

Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (7).

In the tournament final the hosts had just come off a tough game against Albany and this was a bridge too far for them. Vassar scored 3 quick tries and the march for New Paltz was straightaway all uphill. Jyen Wong was quick of thought and feet and she sprinted a full 45 yards almost going over in the corner in the first minute. She was supported by Taylor Nunley who dived over. Then Jones upped the ante and it was 12-0 with McElduff conversion. The kick that put her over the top! And number 3 was a huge heart-breaker as Cierra Thomas weaved, pushed, stepped and sprinted over and it was 17-0 with just 8 minutes played

There was no let up from the Vassar Women and with family and friends watching, some from as far afield as Michigan, the tries came in steady succession. Also on hand was Shelley Farmer, Class of '92, with her husband and twins aged 4, Jackson and Grace. Shelley had her Vassar Rugby hoodie and some photographs and it was wonderful to connect with her some 15 years after graduation.

Vassar sophomore Nathalie Freeman is a competitor and is flat out determined to score every time she gets the ball. She did score a real knock'em outa the way good old fashioned try and was a constant threat with ball in hand! Thomas went over again and with New Paltz backpedaling Lizzie Bennett scampered over followed by Shira Idris playing just her second game at scrumhalf.

But the best was saved for last as Leigh Yakubowski, a senior, darted through and scored her first Vassar try! Leigh reinvented herself this year playing lock and throwing the ball in at lineouts. She has been an integral part of the team's success.

Team: 15 Abigail Alexander 14 Tamasha Persaud 13 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild 12 Cierra Thomas 11 Priscilla Yevoo 10 Mary Margaret McElduff 9 Jyen Wong 1 Darienne Jones 2 Kathleen Gould 3 Elaina Peterkin 4 Sophia Rutkin 5 Leigh Yakubowski 6 Nathalie Freeman 7 Elizabeth Berridge 8 Taylor Nunley. Subs: Lizzie Bennett for Darienne Jones, Kristina Catomeris for Kathleen Gould, Nicole Steele for Elaina Peterkin, Ellen Quist for Elizabeth Berridge, Aja Dunn for Priscilla Yevoo, Andrea Ramsay forTamasha Persaud, Sarah Mawhinney for Taylor Nunley.

Overall record:? 16-3-0

The Brewers will send a team to the 7s next weekend and a team to Hofstra University. It is another opportunity to represent Vassar and for the underclassmen to face a challenge on the road.

Next: Saturday & Sunday May 2 & 3, 2015 at the American Collegiate Rugby Association (ACRA) 7s Championship hosted by U.S.M.A.t, West Point.

Sunday May 3, 2015 at Hofstra University KO 1:00 pm

Saturday May 9, 2015 versus Alumni XV KO 11:00 am

--VASSAR--