For Immediate Release
 
Collegiate Rugby - Women
 
Poughkeepsie, NY
Saturday April 28th, 2018


Another Tight Tussle but This Time UConn Prevail
Two weeks ago these teams met in the Beast of the East Tournament Division I Final and Vassar edged the Huskies 15-12. So no-one was under any illusions that this would be another tough close game.
 
It certainly did not disappoint and with just 10 minutes remaining UConn led by a single score, 24-17. Vassar had possession but full credit is due the UConn Women for they not only stemmed the Vassar attack but worked the ball to their speedy right wing who secured the win with her third try of the day. Hats off to both teams for it had been a battle royal, a real ding-dong affair, and it completed the 2017-18 season.
 
Saturday April 28th, 2018
Vassar College Women 17 v 29 University of Connecticut Women
Tries: Sarah Mawhinney (2) & Oshana Reich (1).
Cons: Makena Emery (1).
 
Both teams somewhat limped into this match-up with a number of usual starters missing. In addition, there were quite a few players who were carrying bumps and bruises such is the nature of the sport and this being the last game of the year. UConn was without their flankers, Number 8 and fullback while Vassar had to work without scrumhalf Jennie To and the entire usual starting front row.
 
One has to state that the Vassar pack did well in the scrums and scrumhalf Kira Nolan was rock solid. Equally for UConn their backrow was very effective at poaching ball and their fullback ran with authority.
 
The first half saw UConn take the lead on account of some strong running off the fringes of the rucks aided by some fairly passive tackling by the Brewers. This was in stark contrast to the previous game where the tackling was exemplary. This is not to say that tackles were missed but easy yards were conceded and when the Huskies got close they knew they could punch over for the score. A 5-0 lead was quickly pulled back when Vassar flanker Sarah Mawhinney tied the game after some good phases from the Vassar forwards and backs.
 
UConn's formula was simple and direct and although Vassar had gotten back on level terms the team did not defend any differently. Line speed was lacking and ground was consistently conceded. It did not help the Brewers cause that they also gave away a number of penalties – more ground conceded!
 
UConn scored two more tries in that first 40 minutes and led 17-5, one of them a good set piece move that cut right through the centers and gave the visitors a real boost at the interval.
 
So at the half it was a 12-point differential, the same as when the teams had met at the Beast. Vassar committed to improve the tackling, compete at the rucks to win or disrupt UConn ball and most importantly to make better decisions when awarded penalties.
 
The Brewers made the perfect start to the second half as they kicked for touch following a penalty and then again it was that energizer bunny of a player, Sarah Mawhinney, who drove over for a try. At 17-10 and with 38 minutes to play, it was a momentum changer score. The Brewers immediately went back down the field having caught the kick-off and earned a penalty right in front of the posts. A further 3 points seemed certain and would put them within one unconverted try of taking the lead. But alas Makena Emery's kick sailed wide and UConn was off the hook.
 
Vassar kept up the pressure and when Sarah Mawhinney clearly went over but then players piled on top and the referee was unsighted! No try was awarded. Just 10 minutes later it was UConn who surged further ahead 24-10 as again they worked the ball wide and rounded the Vassar left flank. One has to give huge credit to the Vassar team for showing real discipline and battling to get back into the match. They established good field position and then Oshana Reich scored a great try with a big effort and it was 24-17 after multiple phases and constant pressure as Vassar continued to up the tempo.
 
But the UConn defense also deserves mention as they stiffened after this period of pressure and did not break again.
 
Vassar continued to chase the game but a series of turnovers at the breakdown and a couple of missed lineouts would in the end analysis prove costly. Vassar would advance the ball quite deep into the UConn half only to be turned over or concede a penalty.
 
Amanda Saich and Oshana Reich were tireless in their work both in attack and defense and with Mawhinney they were truly  a force. It really came down to some missed opportunities and losing the defensive battle in the tackle when UConn had the ball. The Huskies made territory and when Vassar did get the ball back they had a long way to go.
 
As Vassar attempted to get the try that might allow a conversion for a tied game UConn struck in the final moments with yet another try out wide. The Huskies were deserved winners in a tough ol' game where both teams had given their all. The second half had been a 12-12 tie and an absorbing contest to watch.
 
Vassar finish the year at 21-2 and it is hard to find fault with such an impressive record. The seniors all can be massively proud and have left a legacy of real significance. Their work ethic, enthusiasm and support of all the players on the squad has been exemplary.  A huge thank you is due these outstanding young women – Amanda Saich, Claire Fondrie-Teitler, Alicia Menard-Livingston, Megan de Koning, Sarah Mawhinney, Andrea Ramsay, Abby Alexander, Michelle Urrutia. Kayla Lightner,  and Fiona Brodie.
 
Team: 15 Michelle Urrutia 14 Abby Alexander 13 Alicia Menard-Livingston 12 Molly Lynch 11 Andrea Ramsay 10 Makena Emery 9 Jennie To 1 Sabrina Perry 2 Kaira Smith 3 Megan Martin 4 Miranda Scarlata 5 Claire Fondrie-Teitler 6 Sarah Mawhinney 7 Oshana Reich 8 Amanda Saich.
Subs: Halle Hutchinson for Kaira Smith, Megan de Koning for Miranda Scarlata, Catherine Gladstone for Sabrina Perry.


Record: 21-2-0
Next:  Fall 2018
 
Saturday April 28th, 2018
Vassar College Women "B" 14 v 24 University of Connecticut Women "B"
Tries: Yuming Ren (1) & Michelle Urrutia (1).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (2).
This match was much like the A-side game in terms of shape and was highly competitive. The Vassar forwards held the upper hand in the early exchanges but probably could have been a lot more dominant had they been aggressive at the scrum. Earlier in the week they had driven the A-side pack backwards in practice so it was a complete surprise that they just leaned in against their opponents.
 
UConn took the lead against the run of play and it was a couple of missed tackles that allowed them the 7 points. But Vassar's Yuming Ren was having none of it. She ran with real purpose and was rewarded for her efforts with a try. Aislinn Vinces-Dimas slotted the conversion and it was 7-7.
 
The Vassar defense was again found wanting and UConn went ahead 12-7 and it stayed that way for quite a while as each team gave it their best shot to breech the opponents defense. Emma Manzella sliced through a couple of times and the Vassar pack went to a good picking game that brought territory in small installments.
 
Michelle Urrutia scored a go ahead try when Vinces-Dimas again connected on the conversion and at 14-12 in the second half. But two tries from the visitors as they brought on some replacements meant they took the spoils. Aisha Malik made a host of good tackles, Claudia Lausch made one huge hit and Nyala Jackson also got to grips with the opposition.
 
The take away for all these players is that they must be able to play rugby without the ball. Defensive duties are individual and collective – the former is a pre-requisite of latter i.e. one has to make the tackle consistently.
 
But it has been a stellar season for these first year players and one they can be proud of and build upon.
 
Team: 15 Halle Hutchinson 14 Dylan Joyner 13 Emma Manzella 12 Meredith Leder 11 Claudia Lasch 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 9 Claire Fondrie-Teitler 1 Yume Murphy 2 Morgan Hayman 3 Catherine Gladstone 4 Nyala Jackson 5 Maddie Crump 6 Yuming Ren 7 Aisha Malik 8 Megan de Koning.
Subs: Andrea Ramsay for Claire Fondrie-Teitler, Tanyx Madrigal for Catherine Gladstone, Claire Goldberg for Meredith Leder, Michelle Urrutia for Halle Hutchinson, Sophia Blush for Tanyx Madrigal.
 
Footnote: On this beautiful warm and sunny spring afternoon a total of 32 Vassar Women represented the college and were a real credit to the school. Thank you to all, including those JYA, those injured, those who played in the fall but not this spring and those just not listed today, for an outstanding season.