- Head Coach Tony Brown

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 20, 2015) – The first game of the day saw the Vassar Women's "B" team sweep aside neighbors Marist "B" scoring nine 9 tries to 2. It was truly inspiring to watch as the Vassar rookies, most playing in their first full 80-minute game, showed a good degree of shape and put in to practice what they have been doing to prepare to play. Time and again they recycled the ball and challenged the Marist defenders. Time and again the defensive line was either breached or lacking in numbers. If this group sticks together over the next 4 years then the win column will be overcrowded! In game two Fairfield University Women were no match for an energized and determined Vassar fifteen.  It was a case of almost constant defense for the visitors and they were overwhelmed as 13 tries were scored and 8 conversions made resulting in an 81-point win.
 
Vassar College Women "B" 47 v 10 Marist College Women "B"
Tries: Jennie To (1), Rachel Elson (4), Claire Fondrie-Teitler (1), Michelle Urrutia (1), Kaitlin Prado (1), Alicia Menard-Livingston (1).
Cons: Michelle Urrutia (1).

Let's get the cards on the table regarding this game.

First, the commitment to the tackle was outstanding. Rachel Elson and Kayla Lightner led the way but all the team did well. When Marist had an early break down the touchline Number 8 Claire Fondrie-Teiltler never gave up the chase and made a shoestring tackle to save what looked a certain try.

Second, the forwards placed the ball well and hit rucks. This ensures good possession and that means the potential for go forward ball. Kudos to the pack.

Third, the team functioned as a team imposing its pattern on the defenders and creating weaknesses in the defensive line. It's early days yet but this starting 15 comprised 8 freshmen, 6 sophomores, and 1 senior. Optimistic doesn't begin to describe how the coaching staff feels about this group!
 
The Future…
Jennie To played scrumhalf and looked the part for she is quick thinking, determined, and while her distribution needs some polish she will be a game breaker. Rachel Elson at flyhalf scored 4 tries but more important she made good solid tackles and was a real threat when she had the ball – she's quick and illusive. Up front it was a joy to see Elaina Peterkin get on track and I mean that literally for her nickname is Amtrak! She powered her way up field and always placed the ball well. The freshmen locks, Miranda Scarlata and Oshana Reich tackled and ran off the fringes well but most pleasing was their rucking. Flankers Ramsay and McConnell were all over the field as they should be and they will be good poachers as they gain more understanding. On the wings Rachel Jones and Alicia Menard-Livingston are speedsters who will get more opportunities and they have already scored over the past two weekends. Min Chen put in some great tackles and Katie Sworden must be enjoying playing a dry sport. She won all her scrums and looks well positioned. At the back Makena Emery was playing out of position but she caught, ran, and tackled with authority. She had to leave with a knock to her knee but it doesn't seem serious.

This was a tough game as Marist had 10 or so rookies and bolstered their team with 5 experienced players. As the game wore on they did substitute those players but it made for a really well contested match. Vassar led after To scored from a quick tap penalty then Elson sliced through for tries 2, 3, and 4 with the latter after halftime. The Brewers led 17-5 at the half and then traded tries with the visitors to make it 22-10. So for an hour it was close and then Kayla Lightner scored followed by Kaitlin Prado and the deal was sealed.

Team: 15 Makena Emery 14 Rachel Jones 13 Kayla Lightner 12 Michelle Urrutia 11 Alicia Menard-Livingston 10 Rachel Elson 9 Jennie To 1 Min Chen 2 Katie Sworden 3 Elaina Peterkin 4 Miranda Scarlata 5 Oshana Reich 6 Andrea Ramsay 7 Marron McConnell 8 Claire Fondrie-Teitler. Subs: Yasani Spencer for Min Chen, Catrina Tellez for Andrea Ramsay, Megan de Koning for Marron McConnell, Andre Ramsay for  Makena Emery, Kaitlin Prado for Katie Sworden.
 
Vassar College Women 81 v 0 Fairfield University Women
Tries: Darienne Jones (2), Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild (1), Nathalie Freeman (3), Cierra Thomas (2), Abigail Alexander (1), Taylor Nunley (3), Rachel Elson (1).
Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (8).

The Vassar forwards were at the Farm today to do a job and they went about it with zeal and enthusiasm. Hard running, determined rucking, and playing at pace. Nathalie Freeman blitzed a Fairfield defender in a ruck to set the tone and one feels she would have given Katniss a run for her money in The Hunger Games! Darienne Jones too has the ability to dominate in the loose. So, with all focused quality ball was won and the backs profited. Laila Blumethal-Rothchild scored first and had plenty of linebreaks and it almost goes without saying that Cierra Thomas did the same. It was a good day for mary Margaret McElduff as she connected on 8 of 13 conversions and she got to play at the flanker position for the final quarter of the match.
 
There will be much tougher days ahead and there is still a mountain of work to do but with this group of players there is massive potential.
 
Team: 15 Abigail Alexander 14 Anne Fritzson 13 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild 12 Cierra Thomas 11 Molly Osborn 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 Sarah Mawhinney, Oshana Reich for Kristina Catomeris, Claire Fondrie-Teitler for Darienne Jones, Elaina Peterkin for Mariah Ghant, Rachel Elson for Jennie To, Megan de Koning for Amanda Saich.

Overall record: 2-0-0

Next week: Sunday September 27th, 2015 at Siena College - Kickoff 1:00 p.m.