NEW PALTZ, N.Y. - After last weekend's scrappy game versus SUNY-Oneonta the Brewers focused all week on their basic skill sets. More is not necessarily better but rather simple things done well will reap rewards and such was the case today west of the Hudson River. Against their Mid-Hudson Valley cross river rivals SUNY-New Paltz, the Vassar men were much more controlled and deliberate. A good first half display put them ahead 24-5 with just one try conceded and they earned their third victory of this fall in Conference play running in a total of 9 tries.

Tries: Ankit Khosla (1), Joe Nowacki (1), Mike Cardenas (1), James Christensen (3), Cole Landolt (2) & Norman Kuang (1).
Cons: Nate Cuson (4). 
It all started so well as Mike Cardenas put in a thumping tackle at the kick-off. The defense was quick to set-up and the first 3 possessions New Paltz won finished with them losing territory. Then Vassar stole the ball and went through some phases and shortly thereafter Ankit Khosla dived over for a try.

It was just the confidence booster that was needed and the visitors wasted little time before adding a second try when Number 8 Joe Nowacki picked from the base of a scrum and drove in for a score. Cuson converted and it was 12-0 to the Brewers.

However, despite this bright start on a perfect fall afternoon under a clear sky and sunshine, lock John Ragsdale had to depart the game on account of what looked to be a broken nose. It was quite a blow to the team as he was due to throw in at lineouts. In came rookie James Scarabino and Ali Sadek took on the throwing responsibilities and both did well enough.

Vassar repelled a New Paltz attack and then set about the business of maintaining possession and moving forward. Joe Nowacki, buoyed by his try and with family watching, ran strongly. Ditto Mike Cardenas and in fact all the forwards either made the gain line or punched through with their carries. The backs as well made yards and it was the New Paltz Hawks that were on the back foot for most of the first 40 minutes.

It was good to see rookies Tyler Harber and James Scarabino doing so well in the close quarters action and added to that scrumhalf Evan Roberts and then Norman Kuang had big runs.

Cardenas scored making it 3 forwards on the scoresheet and then later in the first half James Christensen caught a poor clearance kick and ran it back for the first backs try. After a period of pressure by New Paltz inside the Vassar 22, flanker Brian Cuautle Garcia was yellow carded for a high tackle and New Paltz did score a try from a tap penalty, so at the half it was 4 tries to 1 and a scoreline of 24-5. Vassar had tackled quite well putting ina number of double hits.

Vassar center Cole Landolt scored the first try of the second half to put Vassar up 31-5 and it was from a set piece. He broke a tackle and ran with determination to score under the posts. The Brewers had put together a number of phases prior to the scrum and it was a well deserved try.

New Paltz rallied with some spirited running but some good defensive work held them at bay. Landolt stole a ball but then spilled it in a tackle and it was returned down the left wing. Vassar fullback James Christensen had an opportunity to tackle the ball carrier but missed him and it was 31-12.

The next score was important and if Vassar was to stay in control it had to be a Brewer try. Norman Kuang, now at scrumhalf, collected a set piece pass and stepped his defender running with real confidence to make it 36-12.

Vassar did concede a third try from a scrum 10 meters out when again poor tackling allowed the home team to score. Tackling is a must for every player!

The New Platz try was sandwiched between a score from Landolt and Christensen so the final was 53-17.

Next weekend Vassar faces a Hofstra team that put 70 points on New Paltz and held them scoreless. If that scoreline doesn't get the Brewers attention then nothing will. A really good week of preparation is critical.