ALBANY, N.Y. - The Vassar Women took no prisoners in this Tri-State Conference game and ran riot over the visiting University at Albany Women's Rugby team. The Brewers scored 16 tries and connected on 11 conversions pushing the ball wide at every opportunity as they continue to develop their expansive game plan. Fullback Molly Lynch scored four tries and in all nine players crossed the whitewash. The big crowd was well entertained with some good open field running under a sunny sky.

Vassar College 102 v 5 University at Albany Women Women

Tries: Emma Manzella (2), Molly Lynch (4), Meg Martin (2), Halle Hutchinson (2), Mia Walsh (1), Emily Howell (1), Caroline James (2), Charlotte Benoit (1) & Kira Nolan (1).

Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (8) & Molly Lynch (3).

Perfect playing conditions allowed the players to move the ball easily and after the first 10 minutes both teams had got on the score sheet. Vassar led 7-5 and after Emma Manzella had scooted through and Albany later pounced on a loose pass in the backs. One might have been forgiven for thinking this was going to be a close game at this point. Albany had some pace and size to match Vassar and in the past five years the Great Danes have been tough competitors reaching the conference championship game more than once.

The next 70 minutes proved to be one way traffic as Vassar attacked relentlessly. Wave after wave of ball carriers challenged the Albany defense and although tackles were made the ball retention was such that eventually the visitors just plain ran out of defenders.

Context is everything and it should be noted that this Albany squad is in a rebuilding phase while Vassar has the bulk of their 2018 National Championship squad now a year more experienced. The back division has six of seven starters from last fall and they are gelling quite nicely. Caroline James at inside center continues to impress making  the hard yards and at 13 Emma Manzella is enjoying getting more ball. Both had a brace of tries.

The Vassar forwards dominated up front and all can be proud of their contributions to this win. Support was close, ball carriers got over the gain line and it resulted in 4 of the 8 scoring tries.

On defense Vassar was guilty of missing tackles in the first 10 minutes but collectively it improved and by the second half some solid double hits were being made. Kudos to Meg Martin and Julia Busby for their tackling. The former around the fringes and the latter out wide. Busby just bounces up smiling after her tackles and it's a joy to see her having so much fun.

At the half it was 50-5 and the V.C. machine just kept rolling through the second forty minutes of the game. No quarter was asked and none given and the tries kept coming.

Next weekend sees Vassar face Bowdoin College in Maine. 

Team: 15 Molly Lynch 14 Julia Busby 13 Emma Manzella 12 Caroline James 11 Sophia Blush 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 9 Mia Walsh 1 Meg Martin 2 Charlotte Benoit 3 Kaira Smith 4 Maddie Crump 5 Catherine Gladstone 6 Emily Howell 7 Kayla Vasquez 8 Halle Hutchinson.

Subs: Yuming Ren for Emily Howell, Lauren Thompson for Emma Manzella, Alexa Mousley for Maddie Crump, Kira Nolan for Mia Walsh, Morgan Hayman for Catherine Gladstone, Marie Claire for Aislinn Vences-Dimas.

Next: Saturday October 19, 2019 at Bowdoin College KO 1:00 pm

Overall record: 5-0-0