POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The long journey down from Maine for the Bowdoin College Polar Bears didn't phase the visitors at all as they jumped out to a 14-0 lead after just 10 minutes and only two possessions. In fact, Bowdoin had traveled down the day before but it was Vassar that looked as of they were still on the bus and half asleep! The Brewers did have to deal with a last minute reshuffle of their back division but that was not the reason for the turnovers and missed tackles. 

Vassar College Women 39 v 33 Bowdoin College Women
Tries: Marron McConnell (1), Oshana Reich (2), Jennie To (1), Meg Martin (1), Claudia Lasch (1) and Kira Nolan (1).
Cons: Molly Lynch (2).

Vassar dominated large portions of this game in terms of territory and possession yet the team found themselves down at the half 21-20. In fact after just 10 minutes Bowdoin led 14-0 and they had only had the ball twice. Vassar, just like most teams have been vulnerable to turnover ball but this start was not what the doctor had ordered.

Ironically, the Brewers did do a better job this week of setting up the defensive line. It still needs to be done more quickly and there has to be more width but hopefully review of the video will help. All the team must start to take responsibility for not just getting in the line but also recognizing when more width is necessary.

Having addressed the set-up the main focus must be on positive tackles. Players have to want to tackle. Every player should take note of the example of their captains, Oshana Reich and Jennie To. They are defending in an exemplary fashion. Defensive role models they are for sure.

The first try Vassar conceded was a result of a pass from Kira Nolan that went to ground and was pounced on by a Bowdoin player. The tackler of Nolan just caught her arm as she looked to offload. Two passes later the outside backs were running in open space and the ball carrier was under the posts.

The second try was after a poor pass by Bowdoin saw the ball go to ground but it was picked up and in the broken field first Emma Manzella then Rebekah Graham missed tackles and Bowdoin were sitting very comfortably on a 14-0 lead.

On the positive side of the equation the Brewers came right back at Bowdoin with some good forward drives. The Vassar backs struggled with their alignment as Kira Nolan, usually at 9, was forced into service and she tended to stand too deep. The forwards went over for a try when Marron McConnell alertly picked and scored and then scrumhalf Jennie To did the same to bring the deficit to 4 as Bowdoin led 14-10.

A third score underlined that this game was there for the taking and a 15-14 lead was earned when Oshana Reich went over. The forwards were able to make yards on the majority of their carries and as long as support was there Bowdoin struggled for possession.

Late in the first half the Bowdoin flyhalf kicked over the rushing Vassar defense and the wing got a perfect bounce so was able to gather and sprint in for a 21-15 lead. It seemed that the visitors would only need a handful of possessions and yet could keep scoring tries.

But Vassar again trundled up the field and fittingly it was Meg Martin who scored and it kept the spectators engaged at 20-21.

The next 25 minutes it was all Vassar. On to the field came Kaitlin Prado and Halle Hutchinson so having some fresh legs was a real bonus. Vassar now attacked in waves and the backs keeping it simple reduced errors. It all made for a very purposeful period of play. Left wing Claudia Lasch went over between the posts and Molly Lynch converted to make it 27-21 and when the Vassar pack took a strike against the head Number 8 Oshana Reich saw the whitewash and made no mistake diving in for a 32-21 lead.

This period of play seem to take the wind out of the Bowdoin sails and when Kira Nolan sliced through for Vassar try number 7 and a 39-21 lead it was looking like a long ride home.

But cue the comeback! Bowdoin just would not stop attacking. They kept spreading the ball wide and probing and with time running down scored a try after some good running and a couple of stiff arms to would be Vassar tacklers. At 39-26 and with around 5 minutes left it was game on. The women in black showed no fatigue and right on the stroke of full time scored under the Vassar posts and a final converted try made it 39-33.

The Brewers made hard work of this game and must take a number of lessons from it. Defensively the team has to set up quicker with more width; tackling with intent to drive the opponent backwards has to be every individual's responsibility. The back division has to improve it's lines of running and be much more aggressive.

The team has Monday off but will be back in action next Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday Vassar head to West Point to take on Army B-side with the kick-off at 7:00 pm. The Brewers also will play their Conference quarterfinal game with the venue and opponent to be announced on Monday. 

The squad is continuing to develop and now we are at the stage of the season where being clinical, minimizing errors and playing like there is no tomorrow are key.

Team: 15 Rebekah Graham 14 Caroline Jones 13 Emma Manzella 12 Molly Lynch 11 Claudia Lasch 10 Kira Nolan 9 Jennie To 1 Meg Martin 2 Marron McConnell 3 Kate Sworden 4 Miranda Scarlata 5 Maddie Crump 6 Auisha Malik 7 Danielle Kaminski 8 Oshana Reich.
Subs:  Kaitlin Prado for Miranda Scarlata, Halle Hutchinson for Danielle Kaminski and Kayla Vasquez for Aisha Malik.

Overall record: 7-0-0
Conference record: 4-0-0

Next weekend: Saturday October 27, 2018 at USMA, West Point versus Army Women JV KO 7:00 pm

Vassar College Women B 5 v 20 Bowdoin College Women B
Tries: Julia Busby (1).

The Vassar team really needed to capitalize on their early possession and territorial advantage. The Brewers did score first as scrumhalf Julia Busby, who continues to impress with her tackling, scampered over for a well deserved try and a Vassar lead in the first quarter of an hour. But pressure was not converted to points and Bowdoin battled back to even matters up early in the second half.

Charlotte Benoit, playing in her first ever game at flyhalf, looked relatively comfortable and the hope is that she further develops to challenge for an A-side spot. The forwards all had their moments and the team did show some good shape as they ran off the fringes and also tried to punch up the middle with centers Leder and Blush.

However, the offloading game of Bowdoin prevailed in the end combined with some solid defense.


Team: 15 Caroline Jones 14 Danielle Kaminski 13 Victoria Wilk 12 Meredith Leder  11 Sophia Blush 10 Charlotte Benoit 9 Julia Busby 1 Morgan Hayman 2. Kaira Smith 3 Catherine Gladstone 4 Nyala Jackson 5 Emily Howell 6 Miranda Scarlata 7 Kristen Koenig 8 Kayla Vasquez.