STONY BROOK, NY (September 14, 2014) –The Vassar College Women went on the road taking the Long Island Expressway out to Stony Brook, NY where they faced the Seawolves in their conference opener. Two years ago these teams met in the conference final in which Vassar prevailed 22-17, as well as last fall when Stony Brook was at the Farm where they were well beaten 69-5. The 2015-16 Brewers were keen to maintain the streak and with 3 tries from the Joneses, a further 6 tries from other players, and 5 conversions for a total of 55 points they certainly made their case.

Vassar College Women 55 v 5 Stony Brook University Women

Tries: Cierra Thomas (3), Darienne Jones (2), Jyen Wong (1), Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild (1), Lauren Workman (1), and Rachel Jones (1).

Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (5).

It may have been the last try of a game that was already in the bag but the cheer when a rookie scores her first try is always the loudest! Vassar's Rachel Jones, a.k.a. "Jonesy", sprinted and slithered her way around the Stony Brook defenders to score and the entire squad roared their approval. Earlier, senior and team captain Darienne Jones, no relation, had scored two tries enabling this writer to employ a cheesy headline.

The first game of a season is always a tricky one as the players not only strive to implement their team strategy for the first time but also have to deal with the physical demands of the sport. Conditioning and physical preparation obviously help, but the specificity of the game is the real test. Vassar did establish their general strategy but looked a little rusty at the breakdown. To be fair, Stony Brook was over the ball combative in this area so it was difficult for the Brewers to get quick ball; however, they did get it quick enough to keep the defense on their heels.

Co-captain Cierra Thomas scored the opening try of the season as she scorched her way through the defense after a good pass from Mary Margaret McElduff. The forwards had laid the groundwork by running effectively and when the ball was moved to the backs there was an opening. Thomas is a force of nature and needed no further invitation and by halftime she had scored 3 tries so she was taken off to allow for others to get playing time.

The Vassar forwards ran reasonably well off the fringes and in particular Darienne Jones, Lauren Workman, and Sarah Mawhinney made big gains. Jones scored from a simple pick and go before scrumhalf Jyen Wong ran in from 30 yards after a quick ruck. After 20 minutes it was 19-0 as McElduff converted 2 of the 3.

 It was encouraging to see Jyen Wong have a very good game despite the close attention of the Stony Brook number 9. She passed well and was always a threat around the fringes. Lauren Workman and Jones scored next with the former picking from close range and the latter smartly taking a quick tap and going in from almost 40 yards.

The half concluded with Thomas getting a brace of tries with some delightful running. She can thank her forwards for the prep work. As the first 40 minutes came to a close with the score 43-0, Vassar rang the changes right after halftime.

Anne Fritzson went to scrumhalf, Claire Fondrie-Teitler came in on the flank, Michelle Urrutia went to inside center, and Molly Osborn went on to the wing. They all accounted themselves well but the rate of scoring did not continue as the team struggled to play with the same cohesion. Part of the problem was that the game was essentially won, as Stony Brook could not sustain any continuity when they had some possession. In addition the Vassar players slipped into cruise control.

Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild ran in a try and once again the back can thank her forwards, Taylor Nunley in particular, for supplying the good ball. Then came the icing on the cake when the diminutive rookie wing, Rachel Jones, gathered a loose ball after a pass had slipped through the hands Darienne Jones.  In next to no space she nipped around the defense and her first Vassar try was in the books.

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

Overall record: 1-0-0

Next week: Sunday September 20th, 2015 versus Fairfield University at Vassar College Farm - Kickoff 1:00 p.m.

Vassar College Women "B" 5 v 12 Stony Brook University Women "B"

Tries: Rachel Jones (1).

In the shortened scrimmage that followed the first game there was much to be enthusiastic about as a host of Vassar rookies took the field. It was truly inspiring to see the tackling and rucking of these young women who have only taken up the sport this semester.

In the centers Kayla Lightner and Allegra von Hirschberg were rock solid making one on one tackles stopping opponents in their tracks. Likewise lock Oshana Reich and wing Alicia Menard-Livingston made good open field tackles.  All the rookies will have learnt a lot from this first real action and it is wonderful to have such a positive group of players with which to work. The sky truly is the limit this academic year and there is no telling, if this class sticks with the game, what they will achieve in 4 years. Congratulations to the entire team.

Team: 15 Rachel Jones 14 Alicia Menard-Livingston 13 Allegra von Hirschberg 12 Kayla Lightner 11 Megan de Koning 10 Rachel Elson 9 Jennie To 1 Lauren Workman 2 Katie Sworden 3 Elaina Peterkin 4 Oshana Reich 5 Catrina Tellez 6 Patrice Scott 7 Marron McConnell 8 Andrea Ramsay.

--VASSAR--