POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The rain poured down steadily all day as the Vassar Women's Rugby team returned from Fall Break. The Brewers would need a real squad effort as they faced two opponents on the same day and a Conference quarterfinal where there could be no slip up. The Princeton University Women drove north and had been due to play at 2:00 pm so that Vassar could get the quarterfinal out of the way. But to accommodate the Tigers the game was switched to 12:00 noon and that meant tinkering with the lineup. In the end, the very end, Vassar sneaked a win and then followed it with a second victory over their Hudson Valley rivals.

Vassar College 44 v 43 Princeton University Women

Tries: Emma Manzella (2), Kira Nolan (1), Mia Walsh (1), Julia Busby (1), Alexa Mousley (2), Sophia Blush (1).

Cons: Molly Lynch (2).

Vassar took control of this non-conference game against the Ivy League Princeton Tigers and led 29-12 at the half. In very wet and slippery conditions the Brewers kept the ball close and made yards whether through their forwards or backs. At one point it was 29-7 and it appeared that the game was well in hand. But full credit is due to Princeton for consistently moving the ball wide where they outflanked the Vassar defense. The number 12 and 15 of Princeton were a handful and they regularly broke tackles. In the first half the visitors only scored twice but in the second they came roaring back and went over 5 times!

Vassar rookies Hannah Charlson and Hannah Thompson were in the pack and they acquitted themselves quite well. Charlotte Benoit, usually at hooker, was on the flank and Catherine Gladstone moved up to prop. The pack was rock solid in the set scrums although the wet day made the lineouts a bit hit or miss.

Vassar was guilty of some awful tackling in open play. Too often it looked like the team was playing touch. Arms were outreached and ended up clasping air or at best grabbing a jersey - it was worrying to watch.

Vasar had no trouble moving the ball but Princeton produced more turnovers in the second half and it led to a host of breakaway tries.

Fortunately for the Brewers they too managed 3 tries in the second half. So in total Princeton scored 7 tries and Vassar 8 but the Brewers only converted 2 whereas Princeton slotted 4. But the Tigers will rue the fact that they missed the last conversion, as that would have given them the win by a point, for it was directly in front of the posts.

Kudos to Caroline James for being the outstanding defensive player before being substituted. Her tackling was excellent and she was closely followed by Mia Walsh and Halle Hutchinson.

Team: 15 Molly Lynch 14 Julia Busby 13 Emma Mansella 12 Caroline James 11 Sophia Blush 10 Kira Nolan 9 Mia Walsh 1 Meg Martin 2 Hannah Thompson 3 Catherine Gladstone 4 Yuming Ren 5 Hannah Charlson 6 Kayla Vasquez 7 Charlotte Benoit 8 Halle Hutchinson.

Subs: Sophia Florida for Hannah Thompson, Marie Claire Cicenia for Kira Nolan, Gillian Ciaccio for Hannah Charlson, Alexa Mousley for Caroline James.

Vassar College 36 v 5 SUNY-New Paltz Women

Tries: Caroline James (1), Emma Manzella (1), Kaira Smith (1), Emily Howell (2), Maddie Crump (1).

Cons: Molly Lynch (3).

In this Tri-State Conference quarterfinal the Brewers put out a completely new pack of forwards along with 2 changes in the back division.

It was very rewarding to see rookies get an opportunity to do what they have done in practice and the Vassar 8 dominated throughout at the scrums and for the most part in the loose.

Emily Howell played at Number 8 for the first time and had some stroming runs and Yume Murphy ran intelligently. Lexi Mousley having subbed in the first game and scored twice also looked a threat and the team was led by captain Maddie Crump. Crump scored a deserved try as she went over late in the game.

On the right wing Lauren Thompson caught the eye as she made all her tackles and looked decisive at key moments.

Vassar led 17-5 at the half and always looked in charge and the further 3 tries in the second 40 saw the Brewers advance to the semifinals of the Conference.

Team: 15 Molly Lynch 14 Lauren Thompson 13 Alexa Mousley 12 Caroline James 11 Emma Mansella 10 Kira Nolan 9 Mia Walsh 1 Morgan Hayman 2 Kaira Smith 3 Yume Murphy 4 Sophia Florida 5 Hannah Witts 6 Maddie Crump 7 Louise Ambler 8 Emily Howell.
Subs: Marie Claire Cicenia for Emma Manzella, Vivika Sheppard for Kira Nolan, Yuming Ren for Sophia Florida, Brenda Dzaringa for Yume Murphy.

Next: Sunday November 3, 2019 Tri-State Conference semifinal versus Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Women at Vassar College Farm KO 12:00 pm

Overall record: 8-0-0