Vassar College Women
Poughkeepsie, NY
Sunday October 22nd, 2017
Brave SUNY-New Paltz Women Swept Aside by Vassar
One could not fault the effort and commitment of the SUNY-New Paltz Women's Rugby team on this stunning warm fall afternoon. Vassar is the number 1 seed in the Conference and undefeated this Fall and in the firing line was the number 7 seed. It was a clinical performance from the Brewers as they ran in 15 tries with 6 conversions.
Sunday October 22nd, 2017
Vassar College Women 87 v 0 SUNY-New Paltz Women
Tries: Kate Sworden (1), Amanda Saich (1), Michelle Urrutia (5), Jennie To (5), Megan de Koning (1), Makena Emery (1) & Alicia Menard-Livingston (1).
Cons: Makena Emery (6).
Five tries apiece for fullback
Michelle Urrutia and scrumhalf
Jennie To put their names in the Vassar Rugby record book and capped what can only be described as a dominating performance in all facets of play.
Bur credit is certainly due to the SUNY-New Paltz players who never quit and showed a real spirit throughout this contest. They just kept tackling but would run out of defenders.
Vassar was able to implement some different strategies and will have learnt much about themselves as they head into the Conference semifinal next weekend.
The first half saw 7 tries scored and kudos to
Makena Emery for being particularly tidy with her distribution. She collected 6 conversions and a try for a total points tally of 17.
There was a real zeal and collective effort up front by the Brewers and the backs too did their share of running.
Abby Alexander was particularly busy in one 5 minute period and did admirably.
Freshmen
Molly Lynch filled in well for starter
Kayla Lightner although not being familiar with outside center.
Kate Sworden carried well in contact as did
Amanda Saich.
Team: 15 Michelle Urrutia 14 Abby Alexander 13 Molly Lynch 12 Alicia Menard-Livingston 11 Dylan Joyner 10 Makena Emery 9 Jennie To 1 Kate Sworden 2 Marron McConnell 3 Charlotte Benoit 4 Miranda Scarlata 5 Claire Fondrie-Teitler 6 Sarah Mawhinney 7 Oshana Reich 8 Amanda Saich.
Subs: Amy Hansen for Abby Alexander, Megan de Koning for Claire Fondrie-Teitler, Kayla Vasquez for Miranda Scarlatta & Danielle for Oshana Reich.
Record: 7-0-0
Next: Sunday October 29, 2017 Tri-State Conference semi-final versus Siena College at Vassar Farm, kick-off 12:00 noon.
Sunday October 22nd, 2017
Vassar College Women "B" 41 v 20 SUNY-New Paltz Women "B"
Tries: Kira Nolan (2), Emma Manzella (1), Kayla Vasquez (2), Kaira Smith (1), Amy Hansen (1).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (2) & Emma Mazella (1).
Much like the starters had swept aside their opponent in the first game the Vassar Women's B-side quickly got into stride and took the lead. Kira Nolan at scrumhalf was something of a revelation. Her pass still needs a lot of work but her decision making was good. The really encouraging aspects of this game were that Vassar played with a very discernable pattern keeping passion and that the team hustled to defend any threat making tackles.
This Vassar group has huge potential and the issue will be getting enough games for them to develop. Up front in the forwards they cohesion was good with much improved rucking that was dynamic rather than labored. Players are carrying the ball well and ball presentation is generally good.
In the backs
Ilona Neale and
Emma Manzella formed a steady center partnership and although the former took a knock to her knee she did well in this new position.
As is the rugby tradition Vassar loaned players to New Paltz due to injuries and
Elaina Peterkin, Danielle Kaminsky,
Claire Goldberg and
Aisha Malik all gave a good effort for the visitors. In fact Peterkin scored a try to open the New Paltz account.
Team: 15 Juliana Sprague 14 Amy Hansen 13 Ilona Neale 12 Emma Manzella 11 Claudia Lausch 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 9 Kira Nolan 1 Catherine Gladstone 2 Kaira Smith 3 Yume Murphy 4 Yuming Ren 5 Meredith Leder 6 Megan de Koning 7 Kayla Vasquez 8 Halle Hutchinson.
Subs: Megan Martin for Yuming Ren, Nyala Jackson for Meredith Leder, Morgan Hayman for Kaira Smith, Fiona Brodie for Catherine Gladstone, Sabrina Perry for Yume Murphy, Mira Michaels-Gualtieri for Halle Hutchinson, for Maddie Crump for Megan de Koning, Kaira Smith for Ilona Neale & Claire Fondrie-Teitler for Aislinn Vences-Dimas.
