The University of Vermont met Vassar two years ago at this same stage of the USA Rugby Fall Championship and was knocked out so the team is probably wishing they could get a better draw. On a simply gorgeous sunny late November day the home team quickly got to work and scored 11 tries as they fashioned a solid victory.
Vassar College Women 69 v 0 University of Vermont Women
Tries: Alicia Menard-Livingston (2), Nathalie Freeman (3), Rachel Elson (2), Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild (3), & Mary Margaret McElduff (1).
Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (7).
The Brewers were a tad nervous as they entered this Round of 16 game, for the University of Vermont was sporting an 8-1 record this fall and had good size up front with some experienced backs. But Vassar was able to deny them possession and immediately put them on the back foot. An early try from
Alicia Menard-Livingston settled the team nerves and in fact the inside center was to have a good day as she collected a brace of tries either side of a score by flanker Nathalie Freemen.
The Vassar forwards varied their game and it was clear after about 15 minutes that they had the measure of their northern opponents. But Vermont scrummaged well and Vassar lost ball that allowed Vermont back into the contest.
Behind the pack it was a case of good defense by the Vassar backs although if truth be told they were not seriously challenged. Still it was good to see players making the commitment to the tackle.
Andrea Ramsay and Abby Alexander were up quick and more often than not it produced mistakes.
The lineout for Vassar functioned well which is a good sign and but for some sloppy restarts Vermont would have been starved of more ball.
Vassar definitely left a couple of tries, if not more, on the field so at the half it was 24-0. The challenge was to improve the accuracy of execution and keep a clean scoresheet. That they did is credit to all who have worked not only the players in the games but also the squad on the practice field.
Tomorrow the opponent is Albany and despite having beaten them 31-12 in the regular season and again 46-10 in the Conference Final they pose a big threat. They have a pack who knows what is coming at them. They have speedy backs who are difficult to bring down. The Vassar players will need to rest well
tonight and be totally focused for this game. They must bring the physicality and close support play that they displayed two weeks ago at Siena College. The defense will need to be better both on the fringes of the ruck and in the backs.
The weather forecast indicates that it'll be cold, around 40 degrees, and windy with possible rain and sleet! Let's hope the rain holds off and the teams get to play in dry conditions.
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 1 Kate Sworden 2 Claire Fondrie-Teitler 3 Mariah Ghant 4 Oshana Reich 5 Lauren Workman 6 ?Nathalie Freeman 7 Sarah Mawhinney 8 Amanda Saich.
Subs: Kaitlin Prado for Claire Fondrie-Teitler, Miranda Scarlata for Oshana Reich, Megan de Koning for Lauren Workman, Michelle Urrutia for Alicia Menard-Livingston, Makena Emery for Jennie To.
Overall record: 10-1-0
Next: Sunday November 20th, 2016 USA Rugby National Fall Championship Round of 8 versus the University at Albany Women at Vassar College Farm. Kick-off 1:00 pm.
