Poughkeepsie, N.Y. - The SUNY-New Paltz Men's Rugby team has battled the odds this year, getting the team off the ground, and the short journey across the Hudson to take on Vassar was another stepping stone on their journey. Granted, the result did not go as the visitors wanted, but they never gave up tackling and succeeded in making it a good scrap, particularly in the second half.

Vassar College Men 58 v 10 SUNY-New Paltz Men

Tries: Zach Neri (1), Hector Contreras (2), Merrick Rubinstein (2), Darby Waller (1), Olly Skeet Browning (1), Liam Manion (1), Tyler Harber (2).

Cons: Olly Skeet Browning (4).

The Vassar Men scored ten tries and did a thorough job in the first half to secure a second conference win. 

The forwards had the difficult task of containing a very aggressive and combative New Paltz pack. What the latter lacked in organization, they more than made up for with effort and enthusiasm. Vassar was guilty of turning the ball over too often, but fortunately, it didn't hurt them with much more than some lost attacking territory. Later in the game, similar errors allowed New Paltz to get deep into Vassar's half, conceding a try. 

Number 8 Hector Contreras and scrumhalf Liam Manion combined well at times, and the big forward was able to get a brace of tries in the first half. Merrick Rubinstein had a second solid outing, provided wide pace, and was a real handful for the New Platz defense.

The most excellent consistency for the Brewers was in the centers, where the return of Rowan Roshong partnering with Darby Waller looks good in both defense and attack. The two did well to stop the opposition, and when the ball was in hand, they got over the gain line. Waller scored a fine try to give Vassar a 24-0 lead after Zach Neri, Contreras, and Rubinstein had gone over.

Then it was Tyler Harber who bludgeoned his way over the whitewash once in each half. At the half, Vassar led 34-3.

Rookies continue to impress the Brewers, with JG Dean coming close to a try when he broke the defensive line only to be hauled down about five meters short. Back from a sabbatical, Brian Santos was a real handful carrying the ball in traffic, and Kaleb Brabham had the clearout of the game.

Next up for the Brewers is Hofstra University down in Hempstead on Long Island. 

Team: 15 Carl Aller 14 Adam Vazquez 13 Darby Waller 12 Rowan Roshong 11 Merrick Rubinstein 10 Olly Skeet Browning 9 Liam Manion 1 James Scarabino 2 Tyler Harber 3 Ali Sadek 4 Zach Neri 5 Alex Pappas 6 John Dean 7 Casey Draskovich 8 Hector Contreras. Subs: Brian Santos for Hector Contreras, Jack Gibberd for Adam Vazquez, Kaleb Brabham for Alex Pappasavas, James Reece for JG Dean, Dimitrios Tzepos for Rowan Roshong.

Overall record: 3-0

Next: Sunday, October 10, 2021 

Vassar College Men at Hofstra University Men KO 11:00 am