POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Vassar Women took another step up the playoff ladder on a dry, sunny, brisk fall day at the Vassar Farm as they dispatched the Colby College Mules. The Brewers scored 9 tries in this USA Rugby National Fall Championship Round of 32 game but an error strewn first 25 minutes should keep them humble and focused for the quarterfinal tomorrow against Bryant University.

Vassar College Women 51 v 14 Colby College Women
Tries: Catherine Gladstone (1), Charlotte Benoit (2), Emily Howell (3), Caroline James (2) & Mia Walsh (1).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (3).

A litany of errors including dropped passes, knock-ons, entering rucks at the side and missed tackles was certainly not typical of the Vassar start to contests. In fact, although Vassar took the lead 5-0 after Catherine Gladstone went over it was Colby who silenced the crowd on hand when the score read 7-5 in the visitors favor. 

Vassar just failed to hold on to the ball for any sustained period of time and consequently did not exert pressure. It was fairly evident that the Vassar forwards could take control as the scrum looked solid and the lineout functioned but there seemed to be a lethargy and casualness one would not associate with a playoff game.

Charlotte Benoit scored when the Vassar team responded to being down 5-7 and then a couple of tries from Emily Howell put the team on track. 

Amidst the errors there were some bright spots as halle Hutchinson tackled well and Mia Walsh looked dangerous and was putting tempo into the Vassar game. Kayla Vasquez had some good darting runs but just as impressive was her lineout catching as she went looking for the ball and brought it down.

In the backs Caroline James deservedly scored 2 tries and made yards given the smallest opportunity.

At the half it was 24-7 but a further 5 tries to Colby's 1 saw Vassar head to the quarterfinals. Their opponent will be Bryant University and this is a re-match of the game at this stage last year where the Brewers prevailed 41-24. The weather forecast is for rain so the advice is to bring your umbrella as Vassar seek to make it to the Final 4 for the sixth time in seven years.
 
Team: 15 Molly Lynch 14 Julia Busby 13 Alexa Mousley 12 Emily Howell 11 Caroline James 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 9 Mia Walsh 1 Meg Martin 2 Charlotte Benoit 3 Kaira Smith 4 Catherine Gladstone 5 Maddie Crump 6 Kayla Vasquez 7 Sophia Blush 8 Halle Hutchinson.

Subs: Kira Nolan for Mia Walsh, Emma Manzella for Alexa Mousley, Yuming Ren for Maddie Crump, Sophia Florida for Catherine Gladstone, Marie Claire Cicenia for Aislinn Vences-Dimas.

Next: Sun. Nov. 24, 2019 USA Rugby Fall Championship Northeast Regional Championship game at Vassar CollegeFarm.
Vassar College Women versus Bryant University Women Kick-off  12:30 pm

Overall record: 12-0-0