Poughkeepsie, N.Y. - The Vassar College Women went up against the Fairfield University Women on a beautiful sunny afternoon at the Vassar Farm. It was the first home conference game for both the women's and men's teams. Both Fairfield and Vassar had just five seniors, so it was a battle of the inexperienced as two-thirds of each group were rookies.
Vassar College Women 39 v 14 Fairfield University Women
Tries: Vivika Sheppard (2), Emily Howell (1), Lauren Showalter (1), Sophia Tang (1), Louise Ambler (1), Maeve Smith (1).
Cons: Kira Nolan (1), Marie Claire Cicenia (1).
The fact that collegiate rugby teams did not play for 18 months from December 2019 until this Fall has proved a challenge for every team this season. Fairfield considered forfeiting this game even though last weekend they defeated Stony Brook University convincingly. A compromise was reached whereby the teams would play less time and then follow the contest with a short period of play for rookies.
The opening stanza was all Vassar as they monopolized the ball and scored early through fullback Vivika Sheppard. Fairfield was on the back foot right from the start, and the Brewers controlled the pace.
The first half saw four Vassar tries, with Sheppard getting a second and Emily Howell sliding over from a five-meter scrum down the blindside for her five-pointer, and Lauren Showalter also finding the whitewash. At the half, it was 22-7 as Fairfield had taken a good opportunity bursting down the left-wing.
Vassar rang the changes in the second period with a whole slew of substitutions. Zoe Lynch got on the paddock and showed some strong runs; meanwhile, Sophia Tang ran with carefree abandon and managed a score.
Next up, Vassar hosts Marist College at the Vassar Farm.
Vassar College Women: 15 Vivika Sheppard 14 Jamie Marinez 13 Julia Busby 12 Kira Nolan 11 Maeve Smith 10 Marie Claire Cicenia 9 Mia Walsh 1 Sophia Florida 2 Kasey Drake 3 Gillian Ciaccio 4 Louise Ambler 5 Hannah Charlson 6 Lauren Showalter 7 Halle Hutchinson 8 Emily Howell. Subs: Zoe Lynch, Sophie Tang, Grace Skakel, Andie Authers, Brittany Andrade, Katie Canavan, Peyton Wilder, Audrey Ehrhdt.
Unavailable:Â Lauren Thompson, Asia Baker, Lucy Sinclair, Alouette Batteau, Dariana Serrano, Isabel Snyder, Carol Light, Lydia Yu.
Injured:Â Claire Dwyer, Julie Geller, Jessica Liu, Hannah Thompson.
Overall record: 3-0
Next:Â Sunday, October 3, 2021Â
Vassar College Women versus Marist College Women at Vassar College Farm, KO 11:00 am
