LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - It seemed summer was making a last stand as fall temperatures earlier in the week receded and under a clear blue sky, with 80 degree weather, the Vassar Women dispatched Siena running in 10 tries and slotting 6 conversions.

The Vassar attack thus far this fall has started with some promise but there is much left to be desired defensively. Vast improvement has to be made if this squad wants to emulate their predecessors. Playing exceptionally well without the ball will be the measure of success in the coming weeks.

Vassar College 62 v 12 Siena College Women

Tries: Emma Manzella (1), Emily Howell (3), Molly Lynch (2), Hannah Witts (1), Morgan Hayman (1), Meg Martin (1) & Mia Walsh (1).

Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (5) & Molly Lynch (1).
As was the case last week against SUNY-New Paltz, the Vassar team went through several phases and took the lead in the opening minutes. Siena had not had a possession and already were down 7-0 after outside center Emma Manzella sliced through to score under the posts.

Sophomore Emily Howell ran strongly and scored the next 3 tries herself as Siena slipped off tackles and paid the dearest price. Howell is good going forward but like her teammates must apply the same sense of urgency to her tackling. Going forward in the tackle, driving an opponent back and to the side, is critical to stop teams getting over the gain line.

These early scores were as much a product of good ball placement, that allowed quick ruck ball, as they were Siena's defensive frailties. Vassar just kept attacking in waves and unlike last year with the close picking game predominant it was a more expansive approach. Former center turned fullback Molly Lynch scooted around the defense for her brace and the Brewers were looking at a solid 38-7 lead after the first 40 minutes.


Vassar fullback #15 Molly Lynch '21 scored 2 tries in the win over Siena

The scoreline permitted the injection of the rookies and they did not disappoint. There are 3 rookie Hannah's on the squad this fall and each had their moment in the spotlight with Hannah Witts scoring a try when she just pinned her ears back and burst through the Siena defense. Hannah Thompson ran strongly into contact but then she's played ice hockey previously; Hannah Charlson was excellent placing the ball; Louise Ambler caught lineout ball and put herself about in the loose; Alexa Mousley slipped past tacklers and caught everything thrown her way; Marie Claire Cicenia went to flyhalf and looked comfortable; Sophia Florida showed determination on the ground though it led to a penalty! All in all the learning curve for the rookies was a good one.

It was good to see both scrumhalves perform well as Kira Nolan distributed accurately and Mia Walsh tackled well when she came on. Forward Meg Martin had a another good outing and ran with real zip and authority and she picked up a late try for her efforts. The Vassar lineout was a tad better than last week and Morgan Hayman went over when the Brewers caught and drove a maul over the line. TheVassar scrum did not take a backward step which has to be maintained.

So what does Vassar need to improve upon? Siena ran off the fringes and the Brewers were poor tacklers. Simply put tackles were not made. Siena ran through and if they didn't get a clean break they made yards as they won the collisions. That they did not score but two tries was because they either made an error or a tackle was made by a covering player. The fringe defense has to be addressed with some urgency and a minimum standard set of making proper tackles.

Team: 15 Molly Lynch 14 Julia Busby 13 Emma Manzella 12 Caroline James 11 Sophia Blush 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 9 Kira Nolan 1 Meg Martin 2 Charlotte Benoit 3 Kaira Smith 4 Maddie Crump 5 Catherine Gladstone 6 Emily Howell 7 Kayla Vasquez 8 Halle Hutchinson.

Subs: Morgan Hayman, Mia Walsh, Yuming Ren, Louise Ambler, Alexa Mousley, Hannah Witts, Sophia Florida, Marie Claire Cicenia, Hannah Charlson, Lauren Thompson & Hannah Thompson.

Injured: Victoria Wilk, Vidalia Rubie, Aisha Malik, Rebekah Graham, Nyala Jackson, Ilona Neale, Eva Gomez & Claudia Lasch.

Unavailable: Gillian Ciaccio, Samantha Hwang, Kristine Drake, Brenda Dzaringa, and Yume Murphy.


Next: Saturday September 28, 2019 versus Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) at Vassar Farm KO 1:00 pm

Overall record: 2-0-0