POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Vassar team had looked sharp in practice this week and although there is still much to do and learn, the attack in particular is coming along nicely.  The Vassar Mid-Hudson Alumnae/i Club was on hand to watch the game and a good many spectators lined the field thanks in part to the lovely weather. Rensselaer was on the back foot right from the start as the Brewers did not disappoint the crowd running in 12 tries and accumulating 74 points.

Vassar College 74 v 7 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Women

Tries: Kayla Vasquez (2), Emma Manzella (4), Emily Howell (2), Julia Busby (1), Mia Walsh (2), Meg Martin (1).

Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (5) & Molly Lynch (2).

Despite a ball being ripped from the ball-carrier and a knock-on after the Vassar forwards had received the kick-off and marched down the field,  the home team stole the first scrum put in and 4 rucks later flanker Kayla Vasquez squeezed over to make it 5-0. The flanker showed some real speed when she collected her second try about 15 minutes later but will have to improve on her tackling of she wants to stay in the starting lineup.

As Vassar opted to push the ball wide gaps appeared in the RPI defense and one line break led to a try as Emma Manzella scampered through to score and with the conversion it was 12-0 in under 10 minutes.

Last year RPI gave Vassar a real run for their money in Troy, NY and although Vassar prevailed 37-0 it was a game where the Brewers had leaned heavily on their close quarters picking game. This year it was a very different story as the ball was moved from touchline to touchline. The Vassar backs scored 7 of the 12 tries.

The defensive work that the players have been putting in did seem beneficial as the tackling was better. The worry is that there are still some line-breaks being made by the opposition and these are the direct result of an individual opting not to go into contact. RPI made a couple of line breaks in the first half but eventually they squandered the territory gained as they recycled the ball and were driven back. But for a few penalties they may not have threatened the Vassar 22 at all.

The Vassar forwards took matters into their own hands and were rewarded for their efforts with tries from Emily Howell (2) and the Vasquez second try.

Vassar Number 8 Halle Hutchinson had to leave the field as she was not feeling well and Youming Ren stepped in making an immediate impact in the rucks. Maddie Crump and Ren are rock solid over the ball and make a real nuisance for the opposition. Crump in particular tackled tirelessly. Vassar counter rucked to good effect and the wealth of possession led to pressure for the RPI defense.



Vassar's Maddie Crump tackled tirelessly

Wing Julia Busby took a clear cut opportunity diving low to ensure the try when after several phases RPI just plain ran out of defenders. There were some less than impressive moments as some Vassar players rolled onto their back before presenting the ball and a number of penalties allowed RPI to stay in the game.

From an RPI scrum just inside the Vassar 22 on the left the Vassar backs were slow to come up and seemed completely out of sync. The RPI fullback came into the line slipping through but was hauled down about 5 meters short of the goal line. After a series of forward picks the visitors scored and it was 19-7. Hopefully a lesson learnt for the Vassar back division and the fringe defense.

Flanker Emily Howell ran well again but her ball placement leaves a lot to be desired. Too often the ball was spilled when she attempted to place it.

In both halves RPI was able to poach some ball at the breakdown. Vassar players must realize that a player on their feet has rights to the ball at the tackle. Yes, the tackler must release the tackled player but a non-tackler can grab the ball. Penalties were conceded by Vassar carriers holding on to the ball.

The halftime score of 34-7 after 6 tries indicated that this was going to be a long half for the RPI Women unless they could get more ball and pressure the Vassar defense. As matters turned out there was little difference even though RPI did create some turnovers.

Caroline James at inside center for Vassar had another week of good yards after contact. At scrumhalf replacement Mia Walsh showed she is a challenger with some good tackles and two well taken tries. She sprinted in from long distance twice. Meg Martin continues to improve with strong forward runs and solid defense work.

There will be mush sterner tests ahead and one of those might well be Marist College next Sunday so Vassar will need another good week of practice to build on this and tighten up the defense even more.

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: Yuming Ren for Halle Hutchinson, Morgan Hayman for Kaira Smith, Mia Walsh for Kira Nolan, Victoria Wilk for Catherine Gladstone, Alexa Mousley for Julia Busby and Marie Claire Cicenia for Aislinn Vences-Dimas.

Next: Sunday October 6, 2019 at Marist College KO 12:00 pm

Overall record: 3-0-0