The Vassar Women are the number 1 seed in the Conference playoffs and today faced the Fairfield University Women in this quarterfinal conference match-up. Fairfield are the number 8 seed and right from the outset, it was clear that this was likely to be something of a mismatch. Rachel Elson scored after a minute of play, and that was the first of 15 tries scored by the home team.

Vassar College Women 85 v 0 Fairfield University Women
Tries: Rachel Elson (6), Mary Margaret McElduff (1), Alicia Menard-Livingston (1), Amanda Saich (1), Oshana Reich (1), Mariah Ghant (3), Jennie To (1) & Kayla Lightner (1).
Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (5).
 
A very blustery wind made passing difficult for this first round of the conference playoffs but fortunately it was dry and sunny and Vassar took advantage of the possession they won. A good crowd was on hand with family, friends and alumni cheering on the Brewers. The visitors, Fairfield University, had experienced some heavy traffic and arrived a tad late so one might excuse the fact that they leaked an early try. But a further 6 tries conceded in the first half was testimony to other areas of concern for the visitors.
 
The fringe defense was found lacking in terms of temerity of tackle, numbers in close, and line speed. The Vassar forwards took control, and with a constant supply of ball, they were always a threat to score. Hence it was somewhat ironic that the first 5 tries were all scored by fullback Rachel Elson. Elson also scored another try late in the second half and in doing so she equaled a school record for most tries in a single game - 6. Previously, this was accomplished by Larkin Sealy versus Columbia University in 2003-04 and O'Mara Taylor versus Hofstra University in 2010-11.
 
Tighthead prop Mariah Ghant collected a hat trick of tries for the second week in succession and a further 6 individuals scored in what was not exactly a nail-bitter of a game.
 
The problem for Vassar is that games such as this do not prepare the team well for the playoffs ahead. If truth be told the rucking and tackling were not up to playoff standard. To improve and be well prepared for the good teams one has to have faced stiff opposition and pressure.
 
It was good to see Kayla Lightner back on the field following an injury earlier this fall and the bench was emptied as Vassar sought to get players time.
 
But the over-riding message has to be that the Brewers must "Bring it" in practice sessions these next 3 weeks and challenge each other to be more physical and fast paced.
 
Team: 15 Rachel Elson 14 Abigail Alexander 13 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild 12 Alicia Menard-Livingston 11 Andrea Ramsay 10 Mary Margaret McElduff 9 Jennie To 1Kate Sworden 2 Marron McConnell 3 Mariah Ghant 4 Lauren Workman 5 Oshana Reich 6 ?Nathalie Freeman 7 Sarah Mawhinney 8 Amanda Saich.  Subs: Miranda Scarlata for Natahalie Freeman, Kaitlin Prado for Marron McConnell, Kayla Lightner for Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild, Michelle Urrutia for Abby Alexander, Lindsey Sample for Rachel Elson, Amy Hansen for Andrea Ramsay, & Claire Fondrie-Teitler for Kate Sworden.
 
Overall record: 6-1-0

Next week: Sunday October 30^th, 2016 versus ?Siena College Women – Kickoff 1:00 pm at Vassar College Farm.