MATTHEWS, NC - In the 3rd/4th place consolation game at the USA Rugby Final 4, against the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the Brewers led 22-12 at the half. The team had dominated in the set scrums and at the breakdown but knew the opposition had a couple of dangerous speedsters. The plan was to keep the ball and not give them many opportunities. In the end the Academy managed to pilfer enough ball to expose the Vassar defense.

Vassar College Women 27 v 39 U.S. Coast Guard Academy Women
Tries: Charlotte Benoit (1), Emily Howell (3) & Molly Lynch (1).
Cons: Molly Lynch (1).

Vassar began well and quickly got into their patterns. In the 3 previous encounters with the Coast Guard the Brewers have dominated territory and possession so it seemed it would be business as usual.

An early try from Charlotte Benoit was followed by some big yardage gains as the forwards poured into the attack. The Coast Guard defense was on the back door and Emily Howell needed no further invitation. Howell a flanker, playing at Number 8 for the injured Hutchinson, burst upfield and made deep insertions. She was also on hand at the base of the scrum when Vassar scored a pushover try. At 17-0 Coast Guard had offered very little but then were thrown a lifeline as a knock on followed by missed tackles saw their fullback scoot in for a try. 

Another longish run made it 17-12 before Howell scored her third and the first half came to a close. But the warning signs were there as Coast Guards fullback and left wing had the pace if they received the ball in the wide channels.

Howell left at halftime and was replaced by Aisha Malik with the latter only having played 38 minutes if rugby this Fall. 

Despite some early Vassar pressure it was Coast Guard who clawed their way back into this contest. Two breakaway tries from over 50 meters tied matters up at 22 apiece. The sudden change in the games' complexion galvanized the Vassar team and they scored an excellent try as Molly Lynch was put away out wide. At 27-22 it was still anyone's game but Vassar had regained the initiative.

The Vassar forwards with Yuming Ren leading the way battled to the end. But the Vassar defense was slow to close down on the Coast Guard Academy back division and the ball got wide. The scrambling defense was too slow to catch the speedsters and it was 27-27 and momentum had shifted.

A further 2 tries from Coast Guard gave them the win and 3rd place this Fall.

A very subdued and disappointed squad of Vassar players walked away from the Final 4 this weekend with a lot of lessons learned the hard way.

Team: 15 Molly Lynch 14 Julia Busby 13 Alexa Mousley 12 Caroline James  11 Emma Manzella 10 Marie Claire Cicenia 9 Mia Walsh 1 Catherine Gladstone 2 Charlotte Benoit 3 Kaira Smith 4 Yuming Ren 5 Maddie Crump 6 Kayla Vasquez 7 Sophia Blush 8 Emily Howell.

Subs: Aisha Malik for Emily Howell, Morgan Hayman for Kaira Smith, Kira Nolan for Caroline James, Claudia Lasch for Emma Manzella, Sophia Florida for Mia Walsh.

Next: Spring Season 2020

Overall record: 13-2-0