POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – The Vassar women's rugby team started off with a try in the opening five minutes of play, but Bowdoin College battled back to earn a 26-17 victory over the Brewers on Saturday at the Vassar Farm.

Unfortunately, following the try, Vassar lost the next two scrums and one of their own lineouts gifting Bowdoin solid field position.

At the next ruck three missed tackles allowed the Bowdoin ball carrier into the Vassar 22 and it was the visiting Polar Bears who were on the front foot of the action. Vassar surrendered 50 plus yards and when Bowdoin swung the ball to the right, a very deft offload out the back of the hand put them over in the corner and the game was tied at 5-5.
Buoyed by their success Bowdoin went through a period of continuity with the forwards punching off the fringes and the backs pushing the ball wide. The Vassar back defense fared well and kept swarming up pressuring the inside backs and forcing errors or breakdowns.

It was next Vassar attempt that held sway with territory and possession, but the Brewers were unable to capitalize on the chances to regain the lead in the contest. VC dominated on the ball for a solid 15 minutes, but were unable to convert their chances.

Bowdoin regained possession and kicked for touch but an odd series of events saw the kick miss the touch. Instead, it bounced close to the line, flying back into the hands of one of their chasers as she sprinted away for the score and a 12-5 advantage.

Second half action saw Bowdoin capitalize on several Brewers errors on both ends of the field. A scrum on the right just inside the Vassar half saw the Bowdoin Number 8 go down the narrow side slipping out of two tackles. The ruck was won and the ball moved back to the left where the attackers just slipped out of tackles and it was now 19-5.

Vassar then put together several strong phases, leading to a good try from Sophia Florida and putting the game back to a close 19-10.
Plagued by turnovers and penalties, Vassar saw Bowdoin capitalize on good field position that paid dividends for the Polar Bears, who saw their backs move the ball smoothly to the outside to eventually take a 26-10 advantage.

The Brewers went on to put together multiple phases, working their way into the Bowdoin 22. With good ball retention, the Vassar pack took a ball against the head when Bowdoin had a put in. Emily Howell ran hard for the line and then MC Cicenia passed to Kira Nolan who had picked a good line and a try was scored.

Despite that momentum, Vassar was unable to draw closer before the conclusion, falling by the 26-17 margin.

Vassar College Women: 15 Vivika Sheppard 14 Zoe Lynch 13 Lauren Thompson 12 Kira Nolan 10 Marie Claire Cicenia 9 Julia Busby 1 Sophia Florida 2 Kasey Drake 3 Asia Baker 4 Louise Ambler 5 Hannah Charlson 6 Lauren Showalter 7 Halle Hutchinson 8 Emily Howell. Subs: Hannah Thompson for Vivika Sheppard, Grace Skakel for Lauren Showalter, Sophia Tang for Emily Howell.
 
Overall record: 5-1