POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - It was 70 degrees at kick-off time for the game between the Vassar College Women and the Stony Brook University Women at Vassar Farm. Under a clear blue sky the Brewers ran in 13 tries with contributions from all the squad giving the spectators plenty about which to cheer. The spring is an opportunity to get underclassmen experience so the Brewers rang the changes in the second half.

 Vassar College Women 75 v 5 Stony Brook University Women
Tries: Emma Manzella (3), Kate Sworden (2), Aislinn Vences-Dimas (1), Caroline James (2), Emily Howell (1), Oshana Reich (2), Kira Nolan (2).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (5).

The Stony Brook University Seawolves traveled to Vassar Farm to take on the defending Division II National Champions. Neither team had spent much practice time outside due to the cold winter conditions but on a day that belied winter the crowd was treated to 14 tries in all. The wonderful conditions led to the ball being in play for long periods and it was predominantly Vassar going through the phases to good effect.

In stark contrast to their December Final 4 appearance the Brewers scoring initially came from their outside backs. Emma Manzella at 13 scorched her way through a porous Seawolves defense and had scored a hat trick inside 20 minutes. In fact, the backs finished scoring 8 of the 13 tries as first Vassar flyhalf Aislinn "Ice" Vences-Dimas scored when she slide through intelligently and then winger Caroline James collected a brace in determined style.

It was a game that saw the Brewers keep their shape on attack and while they had little defending to do when they did have to tackle it was usually a dominant tackle.

Winning in the fall seems to have given the entire squad a real confidence and they went about advancing the ball in a disciplined and forceful manner.

Most pleasing was the fact that the Brewers had adopted a different playing pattern and getting success. One major key to this being fruitful was no dropped passes but the generous Stony Brook defense must also shoulder some of the blame.

An 8-try first half put Vassar up 44-0 and a slew of changes at halftime did little to abate the attacking wave. In the centers Manzella and Lynch were replaced by Meredith Leder and Victoria Wilk and there was no significant drop off in terms of quality. Passes were caught and although the line gains were less they were still positive yards earned.

Kira Nolan played at both 9 and 10 in that second half and performed very well. Her pass to the standoff was swift and accurate and when she herself was at 10 she distributed intelligently.

Freshman flanker Emily Howell had some good moments and was rewarded with a try and all in all the Vassar forwards were dominant. Led by Kate Sworden and Oshana Reich they punched holes in the Stony Brook defense which put the team on the front foot.

The Vassar counter rucking was impressive and credit is due Jennie To for not only recognizing when to ruck but also her commitment and superior technique. She was as ever inspirational. 


Stony Brook scored when their left wing broke away right at the conclusion of the game but it did not dampen Vassar spirits and a solid team effort had already given the team their 16th win of the season.

Team: 15 Rebekah Graham 14 Caroline James 13 Emma Manzella 12 Molly Lynch 11 Julia Busby 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 9 Jennie To 1 Meg Martin 2 Kaitlin Prado 3 Kate Sworden 4 Miranda Scarlata 5 Marron McConnell 6 Maddie Crump 7 Emily Howell 8 Oshana Reich.
Subs: Victoria Wilk for Emma Manzella, Meredith Leder for Julia Busby, Kira Nolan for Jennie To, Mia Walsh for Molly Lynch, Kaira Smith for Kaitlin Prado & Morgan Hayman for Meg Martin.
 
Overall record: 16-0-0
 
Next: Saturday, April 6th, 2019 - To be announced (the game at the Village Lions originally scheduled for April 6, 2019 has been cancelled.)