Vassar College Women
Poughkeepsie, NY
Sunday October 29th, 2017
Vassar Women Advance to Championship Game
The weather was forecast to be torrential rain with possible thunder and lightning all through
Sunday. Although it was wet with some rain and somewhat grey overhead the only thunder and lightning was served up by the Brewers as they swept aside the Siena College Women in much the same fashion they had done earlier in the regular season.
Sunday October 29th, 2017
Vassar College Women 51 v 0 Siena College Women
Tries: Michelle Urrutia (3), Miranda Scarlata (1), Kayla Lightner (2), Kate Sworden (1), Amanda Saich (2).
Cons: Makena Emery (3).
A dominant first 40 minutes from the Vassar Women allowed them to take the foot off the gas in the second half and try to be a little more expansive. Unfortunately, the tricky wet weather meant that the number of tries scored dropped but it was of no consequence to the result.
Vassar's forwards were in complete control from start to finish as they opted to keep matters simple in the slippery wet conditions. It was that kind of a day and a case of stick the ball up your jumper rather than play catch with a bar of soap!
That the Vassar team did manage to play more expansively in the second half was encouraging and although there were more handling errors by then the Siena women were done and dusted.
The first Vassar score came when
Michelle Urrutia went over after some great forward drives that had caused the defenders to get sucked in. Fullback Urrutia was also next on the score sheet in similar fashion after 13 minutes to add to the lead and when lock
Miranda Scarlata got try number 3 the writing was on the wall for the Albany visitors.
Vassar outside center
Kayla Lightner scooted in for try number 4 in her first game back after injury and with Siena on the back foot prop forward
Kate Sworden burrowed over for a 29-0 lead after
Makena Emery's conversion.
Vassar was winning the battle of the breakdown in part because they were able to get over the gain line but also because support was close and low. Good body position ensured quality ball. The scrums too were solid and even if Siena got the put-in they were under pressure often going backwards.
Four tries in the second half was reward enough for the Brewers as they made a few substitutions and played a different style. One has to add that Siena were painfully unlucky not to score. A Siena speedster broke free and rounded the the last Vassar defender only to stumble and lose her footing. There is a slight depression on the field well known to the home team and it swallowed her up allowing Vassar to keep a clean sheet.
For the most part the Vassar back division coped well with the conditions although they can still improve on their line speed in defense. Too often one player or another is not coming up with the line!
Next weekend the Vassar Women will play for the Conference title against the University at Albany. The Championship game will be played on Saturday November 4, 2017 at Siena College with the kick-off at 2:00 pm
