POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - This was not just a local derby game for the participants. Yes, the schools are just a few miles apart, both located in Poughkeepsie. Yes, Mid-Hudson Valley bragging rights are on the line. But these two teams have also pretty much been the pick of the Tri-State Conference over the years, and before that, they were rivals in the Metropolitan New York Conference.
Vassar College Women 62 v 0 Marist College Women
Tries: Kasey Drake (2), Kira Nolan (2), Vivika Sheppard (2), Emily Howell (3), Marie Claire Cicenia (1).
Cons: Kira Nolan (5), Marie Claire Cicenia (1).
Although the Vassar team is also young, they have seniors in critical decision-making positions, proving significant. The Vassar halfbacks tasked with implementing the tactics are doing an excellent job of directing traffic. Julia Busby and MC Cicenia are comfortable and improving.
The Vassar pack was dominant in both the set-piece and the loose. The body positions are sound in the former, and while they could get lower in the rucks, they were effective on their ball.
Kasey Drake scored the first two tries of the match and has been in good form at hooker.
One of the standout players today was lock Hannah Charlson who was very explosive and timed her runs onto the ball well. It enabled the team to get over the gain line, and the other pack members ably supported her. The back row is starting to fire on all cylinders now, and there is a bit of balance with Halle Hutchinson very effective at the hard yards in close quarters where she has been able to stop opponents and get some go forward. Emily Howell is flying around the field, finding open spaces, and Lauren Showalter has been better at winning collisions.
Six tries in the first half and not much work for the Vassar defense gave the team a 36 point to nil cushion. Marist hung in the contest and kept realigning to their credit, but such was the Vassar ball retention that the dam had to break at some point. Kudos to the Vassar players for sticking with their systems and eventually breaking down the Red Foxes defensive line.
Inside center Kira Nolan had a good day at the office as she scored two tries, made five conversions, and kicked to touch. Her calm leadership has been key to the team's good start to the year, and she continues to grow in stature.
To score this amount of points, a lot of components have to come together and work well. Louise Ambler has secured the lineouts; Sophia Florida and Asia Baker look solid; Vivika Sheppard provides pace and power at the back.
One would be remiss if mention were not made of the contribution of the other squad members, for they have been thrown into the fray and done a host of good things. Zoe Lynch has tackled and run well; Gillian Ciaccio tackles like she was born to play the game; Sophie Tang has a knack for showing up at the right time and place, and she scored a try. In her first game, Alouette Batteau ran with purpose and put in some tackles; Grace Skakel rarely takes a backward step and glides forward to put her teammates in a better position; every player had their moments no doubt there will be more to come.
It is expected that the team will play Cornell University Women next Saturday at Vassar in a recently arranged game. The following day Vassar travels to Stony Brook.
Vassar College Women: 15 Vivika Sheppard 14 Jamie Marinez 13 Lauren Thompson 12 Kira Nolan 11 Zoe Lynch 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: Grace Skakel for Lauren Showalter, Andie Authers for Asia Baker, Audrey Ehrhdt for Jamie Marinez, Alouette Batteau for Kira Nolan, Sophie Tang for Hannah Charlson.
Overall record: 4-0
Next: Saturday, October 2021
Vassar College Women versus Cornell University Women at Vassar College Farm, KO 12:00 pm
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Vassar College Women at Stony Brook University Women KO 2:00 pm
