Collegiate Rugby
Vassar College Women

Poughkeepsie, NY
Sunday September 9, 2018

Earlier this week, on Wednesday, the temperature was in the 90s with high humidity and players had to take frequent water breaks. It was just as hot on the field for the SUNY-New Paltz team despite a chilly 60 degrees.

Vassar College Women 117 v 0 SUNY New Paltz Women

Tries: Jennie To (3), Marron McConnell (1), Emma Manzella (2), Kate Sworden (1), Oshana Reich (2), Catherine Gladstone (3), Maddie Crump (1), Molly Lynch (4), Kaira Smith (1), Miranda Scarlata (1), Danielle Kaminski (1), Aisha Malik (1).
Cons: Makena Emery (6).

The Vassar Women opened the 2018-19 season with a bang as they scored 21 tries en route to an emphatic win. The SUNY New Paltz team was outgunned and maneuvered as Vassar, last year's number 2-ranked Division II team in the country, kept changing the point of attack and monopolized possession.

The Hawks performed gamely competing at the rucks and making tackles but the problem was that those tackles, when they came, were after significant yards had been earned. New Paltz was on the back foot almost constantly.

It should also be noted that New Paltz has moved up to the North Division and the strength of schedule is considerably stiffer. They are aiming to be much improved come the conference playoffs in late October.

Early on Vassar kept matters tight and took on their opponents around the fringes and it proved effective. Jennie To was sitting in an armchair as the forwards produced plenty of quality ball. But there were a number of dropped passes which hopefully was just down to first game jitters and excitement. Those drops cannot occur in future games.

Vassar Prop Kaitlin Prado had some storming runs at kick-offs and the whole team played with real zeal and enthusiasm. Also on the plus side the different attacks were clearly visible and for that to be the case in game one of the season bodes well for the Vassar offense.

Two players collected a hat-trick of tries. Replacement Catherine Gladstone certainly made an impact with her three, while Molly Lynch scored four tries. The center/fullback could not have wished for a better start to the year.

Unfortunately, right wing Ilona Neale and prop Kate Sworden injured shoulders early on and had to be replaced but for the most part there was little stoppage time. The Brewers hope both will make a speedy recovery.

In all, 13 players of 22 who played scored points—nine forwards and three of the back division scored tries. It was good to see second year players making contributions—Aisha Malik, Kaira Smith, Kira Nolan, Meg Martin and others.

Team: 15 Molly Lynch 14 Ilona Neale 13 Emma Manzella 12 Kira Nolan 11 Claudia Lasch 10 Makena Emery 9 Jennie To 1 Kate Sworden 2 Marron McConnell 3 Kaitlin Prado 4 Miranda Scarlata 5 Maddie Crump 6 Kayla Vasquez 7 Danielle Kaminski 8 Oshana Reich.
Subs: Aisha Malik for Ilona Neale, Catherine Gladstone for Kate Sworden, Meg Martin for Kaitlin Prado, Kaira Smith for Marron McConnell,  Meredith Leder for Oshana Reich, Aislinn Vinces-Dimas for Kira Nolan.


Vassar College Women 56 v 0 Bard College Women

Tries: Nyala Jackson (3), Meg Martin (2), Aisha Malik (1), Yume Murphy (1), Kira Nolan (2), Kaitlin Prado (1).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (3).

A very inexperienced Bard College Women's team bravely took the field against a Vassar team that in sharp contrast had all played at least one academic year of rugby. The Vassar players had an air of confidence and quickly set about getting into their styles of play.

The strong forward pack dominated and many of these players will be pushing their A-side counter-parts in the coming weeks in an effort to earn a starting spot.

The team captain, Meredith Leder, led by example from the front as she consistently punched her way over the gain line. The forwards were quick to support and possession was secured that led to another attacking wave. Much like the A-side the shape of the team was visible and effective.

Seven of the 10 tries were scored by the forwards, and when the Brewers got close to the line, it was a case of not if but when the five-pointer would be added.

Jackson scored three tries, and if she can continue to improve will be a threat off the bench. Meg Martin scored a couple and looked sharp. But it was truly a team effort with everyone garnering a moment.

Team: 15 Jamelia Watson 14 Jennie To 13 Sophia Blush 12 Meredith Leder 11Claudia Lasch 10 Aislinn Vinces-Dimas 9 Kira Nolan 1 Yume Murphy 2 Morgan Hayman 3 Catherine Gladstone 4 Nyala Jackson 5 Meg Martin 6 Kayla Vasquez 7 Kaira Smith 8 Aisha Malik.
Subs: Danielle Kaminsky for Jennie To, Kaitlin Prado for Catherine Gladstone, Marron McConnell for Kayla Vasquez, Miranda Scarlata for Aisha Malik.