Collegiate Rugby
Vassar College Women

Poughkeepsie, NY
Saturday, September 29, 2018
 
It was a dream start for the visitors as the Marist College Women received the kick-off and held the ball for multiple phases until they had scored. The conversion made it a 7-0 lead as Vassar had slipped off 3 tackles and given up about 60 plus yards. A Vassar turnover mid-way through the first half was returned by the Marist backs, again from long range, and the lead became 14-12. So, after about 25 minutes the Brewers trailed to the Red Foxes in this clash of the top two in the conference.

Vassar College Women 57 v 14 Marist College Women
Tries: Oshana Reich (2), Jennie To (2), Kaitlin Prado (1), Emma Manzella (1), Meg Martin (2) & Molly Lynch (1).
Cons: Aislinn Vinces-Dimas (6).
Vassar took the field with four changes to its back division and another four to the forwards from last weekend's game versus Siena College. Vassar's Flyhalf Makena Emery is recovering from a dislocated shoulder and in came Aislinn Vinces-Dimas to pull the strings in the play maker role. Molly Lynch moved to inside center and rookie Rebekah Graham went in at fullback. Graham was put to the test immediately but missed her first tackle attempt. However, she had an excellent day as the last line of defense. 
 
The Vassar players did do a good job of setting up their defensive line in terms of getting a flat line in place but Vinces-Dimas needed to be at the 2-slot each time rather than elsewhere. Most prominent with good tackles were Oshana Reich, Jennie To and Molly Lynch but overall there was an improvement from last week.
 
But the platform has to be solid up front and the Vassar forwards worked hard to improve on the previous performances this fall. Initially, Marist held on to the ball and when it was worked along the line Lynch missed a tackle and although she almost got back for a second attempt Marist scored and led 7-0. 
 
The Vassar response was immediate and when Oshana Reich dived over it tied matters up at 7-7. Aislinn Vinces-Dimas was to have a good day from the tee as she converted 6 of the 9 tries scored by the Brewers. Jennie To was to the fore with quick tap penalties and she was rewarded and put VC up 12-7. But back came Marist and following a ball spilling out of Meg Martin's grasp in the Marist 22 it was moved to space and the left wing sprinted over making it 14-12.
 
Vassar again replied swiftly and Kaitlin Prado drove in for a score. Next, Emma Manzella went through to score under the posts after some strong running off the fringes by the Vassar pack. Martin, Hutchinson and Prado all featuring with powerful surges.
 
The half ended with Vassar up 26-14 and the two scores conceded might well have been stopped with players not slipping off tackles.
 
The second 40 minutes saw the Vassar forwards take control both in the set piece and the loose. The Brewers dominated the scrum and ran well off the fringes. Meg Martin collected two late tries and the Marist scrums were under a lot of pressure. Tries five and six were scored by To and Reich with just good straight running that was made possible as Vassar was on the front foot. Marist tried to get the ball wide all game but were thwarted by the Vassar defense.
 
There is still plenty on which to improve - ball placement without going on to one's back, closer support and tackling - just to mention three areas. In addition, the backs must become more cohesive with changes in the lineup and know how to implement the basic plays and patterns.
 
The game did finish on a high note with Molly Lynch bursting through for a long run from just inside her own 22 and a try.
 
Vassar is now 4-0 with a trip to the University at Albany next week.
 
Team: 15 Rebekah Graham 14 Sophia Blush 13 Emma Manzella 12 Molly Lynch 11 Claudia Lasch 10 Aislinn Vinces-Dimas 9 Jennie To* 1 Meg Martin 2 Marron McConnell 3 Kaitlin Prado 4 Miranda Scarlata 5 Maddie Crump 6 Aisha Malik 7 Halle Hutchinson 8 Oshana Reich*.
Subs:  Kate Sworden for Marron McConnell, Danielle Kaminski for Maddie Crump, Meredith Leder for Claudia Lasch, Kayla Vasquez for Miranda Scarlata, Kaira Smith for Oshana Reich, and Caroline James for Sophia Blush.
 
Overall record: 4-0-0
 
Next weekend: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 at the University at Albany kickoff at 12:00 noon
 
Vassar College Women B 15 v 0 Marist College Women B
Tries: Victoria Wilk (1), Morgan Hayman (1) & Julia Busby (1).
All too often the B-side games are chaotic. Rookies are in the mix and it is a new world for them of skills and decision making under pressure. The consequences can be humbling as one is tackled to the ground unceremoniously!
 
But this game had shape, it had good continuity, and, for all the hard work put in, Vassar emerged the victor with three well-deserved tries. The first of these was scored by Victoria Wilk, who ghosted over after the forwards had done sterling work winning ruck after ruck and the second Morgan Hayman scored.
 
At the helm for the first time was Julia Busby playing at scrumhalf. She has a wayward pass, is diminutive of frame and barely knows what she is doing! But she is fearless as evidenced by her tackling and diving on the ball. She quickly picked up that she can take penalties before the opposition is ready and it was she who scored the second try.
 
It is often the try scorers who get the ink but let's not forget that once again it was the hard graft of the forwards that allowed the backs to have the ball! Strong running from all eight of them is to be applauded. Nyala Jackson consistently knocked tacklers out of the way while Danielle Kaminski was dynamic as well. Freshmen Jessica Liu and Kristen Koeing did well and looked comfortable. Team captain Meredith Leder can be proud of her charges as she remains undefeated this season in this role.
 
Team: 15 Claudia Lasch 14 Jessica Liu 13 Victoria Wilk 12 Meredith Leder* 11 Sophia Blush 10 Caroline James 9 Julia Busby 1 Yume Murphy 2 Kaira Smith 3 Morgan Hayman 4 Kristen Koeing 5 Nyala Jackson 6 Emily Howell 7 Danielle Kaminski 8 Kayla Vasquez. Subs: Kate Sworden for Yume Murphy.
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