Poughkeepsie, N.Y. - It was a glorious day at the Vassar Farm for this Tri-State Conference quarterfinal match-up between the Vassar College Women and Rutgers University Women with a warm temperature, a light breeze, and sunshine. Those present were treated to a 12-try display with the Brewers monopolizing, scoring 11 and converting 4. While it was an emphatic win, it has to be said that the Rutgers women, severely hampered by the knock-on effects of Covid, i.e., a small squad and injuries, kept tackling and competing to the very end.

Vassar College Women 63 v 5 Rutgers University Women

Tries: Emily Howell (4), Kira Nolan (1), Hannah Thompson (1), Isabel Snyder (1), Lauren Showalter (1), Thompson (1), Marie Claire Cicenia (2).

Cons: Kira Nolan (4).

It was perhaps fitting that the first two tries came from the seniors Emily Howell and Kira Nolan, as they led by example throughout the game. Howell collected four tries, and she still has a lot more to give, for she ran well within herself. Nolan looked very sharp, and flyhalf MC Cicenia used this weekend to much better effect than last.

The instructions for this game were to play with urgency, tackle lower around the legs of ball carriers, maintain shape sticking to patterns of play and improve the passing accuracy. To their credit, everyone gave it their best shot, and indeed three of the four were achieved, so there was a definite improvement.

Hannah Thompson came into the team for the absent Kasey Drake and got on the score sheet. Freshman Isabel Snyder, playing just her second game of rugby, filled in at fullback for the injured Vivika Sheppard, and she also found the whitewash. Meanwhile, Hannah Charlson went on to the flank, and Grace Skakel came into the second row with Halle Hutchinson unavailable. In the front row, Andie Authers started her first game with Asia baker away. Authers was in the action right from the get-go and looks promising. However, most heartwarming was the appearance of Julie Geller on the wing as she returned from surgery in September.

Rutgers had a couple of solid ball carriers who made some inroads, but continuity was a problem, so initial pressure was usually snuffed out, and Vassar won possession back. The visitors did score a solid try down the left wing when they managed to get the ball wide.

At the half, it was 39-5 as Howell had picked up a further two tries for a hat-trick, and with Thompson, Snyder, and Lauren Showalter also getting in on the act, the Brewers were in complete control.

Four more tries in the second half, with three coming from the backs, was a fair reflection of the game, and it was great to see Lauren Thompson score as she has put in a lot of tackles this fall. Such were the holes opening up in the Rutgers defense that the Vassar flyhalf, MC Cicenia, went over for two good scores. 

Vassar advances to the semifinals of the Tri-State Conference and will face Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at the Vassar Farm on Sunday, October 31, with the kick-off at noon. 

Vassar College Women: 15 Isabel Snyder 14 Zoe Lynch 13 Lauren Thompson 12 Kira Nolan 10 Marie Claire Cicenia 9 Julia Busby 1 Sophia Florida 2 Hannah Thompson 3 Andie Authers 4 Louise Ambler 5 Grace Skakel 6 Lauren Showalter 7 Hannah Charlson 8 Emily Howell. Subs: Katie Canavan for Louise Ambler.

Overall record: 6-1