Vassar took on Poughkeepsie neighbors Marist College at the Farm in bitter cold conditions. The wind was whistling across the field, and although there was no rain, it was still difficult for the players of both teams. The surface was in great shape despite all the snow and rain of this week. It was a classic Vassar versus Marist game with no prisoners taken and some hard physical play but Vassar had an edge in experience, and it proved the difference.
 
Vassar College Men 34 v 12 Marist College Men
Tries:  Stephen Kpundeh (2), Tony Varghese (1), Rob Eder (2) & Ankit Khosla (1).
Cons: Stephen Kpundeh (2).
 
Vassar took the field having played 2 games in Spain over Spring Break. Marist had barely been outside and rested their 7s team players who will be looking to defend their Tri-State Conference 7s Championship title tomorrow. So Vassar had a more experienced lineup, but it still had a host of first year players. In fact, 8 of the Vassar team are in their rookie year.
 
Vassar went ahead after some good close supporting forward play as Stephen Kpundeh joined intelligently from his wing and slipped right through and in behind the Marist defense. He converted his own try and it was a good start for the young Vassar team. 
 
Marist struck back and the danger was most severe when they produced turnover ball. Time and time again, they managed to strip the ball from the Vassar carrier. Their robust inside center made a clean line break and moments later it was 7-7.
 
But Vassar was winning more ball and picked well around the fringes to get the visitors on the back foot. Kpundeh was again the scorer and 12-7 should probably have become a wider gap but for some spirited Marist tackling. Then Vassar fell off a couple of tackles and it was 12-12 after 25 minutes of play.
 
The Vassar forwards were giving a good account of themselves and winning the battle up front in the loose and set piece. Dale Lord and Kaden Wood ran well off the rucks and Evan Roberts was always a serious threat with ball in hand. Later a couple of lineouts were driven and it all added up to pressure on the Red Foxes. It was perhaps fitting then that Vassar lock Tony Varghese scored next and the Brewers took a lead that they never relinquished.
 
Number 8 Rob Eder scored following a scrum inside the Marist 22 and at the half Vassar was in control 22-12.
 
But it's never over until it's over! Marist kept thwarting Vassar attacks and even with a 10-point margin it felt like the game could shift at any moment. It was good to see Joe Griffen get a start at flyhalf and although the backs struggled for consistency there were some good line breaks that showed promise for the future.
 
Number 8 Eder and then flanker Ankit Khosla went over to seal the day for the Brewers.
 
It may not have been a full strength Marist side but the Vassar team was without starters Taylor and Simon in the centers as well as lock Nick Crooks. Never the less the Vassar tries were well taken and deserved.
  
Team: 15 Nate Cuson 14 Stephen Kpundeh 13 Reece Guo 12 Caleb Zachary 11 Brian Lee 10 Joe Griffen 9 Charlie Hooghkirk 1 Louie Brown 2 Evan Roberts 3 Dale Lord 4 George Sheppard 5 Tony Varghese 6 Ankit Khosla 7 Kaden Wood 8 Rob Eder.
Subs: Ryan Chan for Stephen Kpundeh, Jonayed 
 
Overall record: 7-4-0
 
Next week: Saturday April 8^th, 2017 at St. Michael's College, Vermont - Kickoff 3:30 p.m.