Portsmouth, RI - The 38 women's collegiate teams at the Beast are divided into two divisions, Red and Black. The top division is the Red Division with defending Division I Champions Vassar College and past champion UConn. The Black Division has division II tier teams and includes the UConn Women's B-side. A playoff format seeds teams into 3 single elimination post pool brackets. The top 4 teams advance to the Cup, the next 8 teams compete for the Plate and the remaining 6 teams are Bowl competitors. It allows for meaningful consolation games and each program is thus assured of 3 games in the weekend.

Sunday April 14, 2019
Beast of the East - Cup Championship
Semifinals (Red Division)
2:00 pm Vassar College Women v U.Mass., Amherst Women
2:00 pm University of Connecticut Women v Colby College
4:00 pm Championship Game

For playoff pairings and all individual team results click on this link and then on the specific team.
RED
https://beastoftheeast.net/e/beast-of-the-east-2019/schedule/division/Women%27s+Red+Division/stage/129282  


BLACK
https://beastoftheeast.net/e/beast-of-the-east-2019/schedule/division/Women%27s+Black+Division/stage/129328  

Every year over 65 collegiate rugby teams descend upon Portsmouth, RI and compete in various divisions for the right to call themselves The Beast of the East Champions. Even with a number of teams opting to play 7s elsewhere there are 31 men's teams and 38 women's teams this year at the event. 

The Vassar Women have a proud record at the Beast of the East Tournament and of the 11 times over the past 24 years that the team has participated it has always made the final on Sunday. It is a small squad this year, by Vassar standards, with only 23 on the tournament roster due to player unavailability, injuries and students studying abroad. But this current crop of VC Rugby Women are just one game away from maintaining that impressive record after they won both their group games today in convincing fashion.

Vassar College Women 34 v 5 Boston College Women
Tries: Oshana Reich (2), Molly Lynch (1), Jennie To (1), Sabrina Perry (1), Kate Sworden (1).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (2).

There can be no doubting that at it's best Rugby is a simple game when the basics are done well. Vassar Number 8, Oshana Reich opened the Vassar try scoring account with a pick-up and run down the blindside. She is quick off the mark and is chasing the college record for tries in an academic year, currently held by Margaret Kwateng (44 tries in 15 games in 2012-13). After today's haul of 4 tries Reich needs a further 7 in 2 possibly 3 remaining  games. It is a tall order but one wouldn't bet against it on her current form.

The Vassar backs really excelled and not a single pass was dropped. Of course, for them to have the ball at all the Vassar forwards were exemplary. Time and time again the ball was recycled and the Boston College pack put on the back foot. A solid set piece allowed Vassar to get over the gain line and with only minimal resistance from the BC defenders it was a case of not if but when a try would be scored.

Sabrina Perry deputizing for the missing Kaitlin Prado had a game to remember as she ran low to the ground with good purpose. She scored her first try for Vassar and should be well pleased with her performance. Likewise Mia Walsh. The Pennsylvania freshman started on the wing and did not look out of place. She made a couple of solid tackles and got involved in the picking game. She played scrumhalf in high school and looks very much the rugby player.

Senior Kate Sworden moved from the front row to flanker and was as industrious as ever. In the backs Molly Lynch wore the 15 jersey and acquitted herself well catching a range of kicks and counter-attacking well. It was also good to see Jennie To zipping out quick passes to launch the attack.

Vassar scored 3 tries in each half but more importantly held their opponent scoreless.

The seedings for a playoff spot would involve the number of tries scored as well as points differential, so it was key that the team get 4 tries and a solid win, which they did.
Team: 15 Molly Lynch 14 Julia Busby 13 Emma Manzella 12 Caroline James 11 Mia Walsh 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 9 Jennie To 1 Meg Martin 2 Marron McConnell 3 Sabrina Perry 4 Miranda Scarlata 5 Catherine Gladstone 6 Kaira Smith 7 Kate Sworden 8 Oshana Reich. Subs: Sophia Blush for Julia Busby, Victoria Wilk for Mia Walsh.

Vassar College Women 36 v 5 Southern Connecticut State University Women
Tries: Oshana Reich (2), Molly Lynch (1), Emma Manzella (1), Meg Martin (1), Kate Sworden (1).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (3).

In game 2 of the day Vassar faced a much improved Southern Connecticut team but it was that woman Reich who quickly stamped her authority on the match. She scored the first 2 tries as Vassar notched up 2 more in the first half. Probably the most pleasing try came when Emma Manzella sliced through the SCSU defense and although scragged by a couple of defenders she skipped out of a tackle to score.

There is no denying that the defense by Vassar, particularly in the second half, was found wanting. Too often players were sliding around the side of an oncoming ball carrier - this is not acceptable. This was also a much more physical game than had been the case versus BC.

The Vassar rucking had gotten a lot better than had been the case in game 1. In the end the win put Vassar in a semifinal game between VC and UMass., Amherst at 2:00 pm.

Beast of the East
Semifinals
2:00 pm Vassar College Women v UMass., Amherst Women
2:00 pm University of Connecticut Women v Colby College

4:00 pm Championship Game

Team: 15 Molly Lynch 14 Julia Busby 13 Emma Manzella 12 Caroline James 11 Mia Walsh 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 9 Jennie To 1 Meg Martin 2 Marron McConnell 3 Sabrina Perry 4 Miranda Scarlata 5 Catherine Gladstone 6 Emily Howell 7 Kate Sworden 8 Oshana Reich. Subs: Sophia Blush for Mia Walsh, Kaira Smith for Sabrina Perry, Meredith Leder for Emma Manzella, Morgan Hayman for Marron McConnell.

Overall record: 18-0-0
 
Next: Saturday, April 20th, 2019 versus Manhattanville College at Vassar Farm KO 1:00 pm