BOSTON, M.A. – The Vassar College women's rugby team kicked-off its 2022-23 campaign on Sunday afternoon, earning a 22-17 victory over a tough Boston University (BU) squad on the road. It was a solid challenge for the defending national champions, who return 22 from last year's squad, while adding 20 newcomers for the upcoming season.
 
The Brewers look to build upon this first contest when they open their conference schedule next weekend at Columbia on Saturday at 12pm.
 
Vassar College 22 v 17 Boston University
Vassar Tries: Asia Baker (3) & Sophia Bailey (1).
Vassar Cons: Zoe Lynch (1).
 
Vassar dominated the contest in the early exchanges, capitalizing with ball possession and territory. It paid off as a 12-0 lead was built with prop forward Asia Baker blasting over for two tries. Zoe Lynch connected on one conversion as the Brewers executed a solid game plan early.
 
Boston University quickly countered, moving the ball wide several times on a good pace and taking advantage of turnover balls. Utilizing strong play, the Terriers caused chaos by jackaling the ball and the effect was twofold. Vassar had multiple scoring opportunities, but were unable to convert, keeping the two teams locked in a tight game.
 
Taking advantage of several Brewers miscues, BU capitalized on a good try to pull the score to 12-7, later getting another shot as things were tied 12-12. Vassar responded, taking back momentum as Baker collected a third try for a 17-12 advantage, but Boston University continued to press against the Brewers defense. Penalties and a quick effort by a BU scrumhalf continued to make things challenging for Vassar.
 
The Brewers made some gains in the forward line, earning front foot ball which enabled Kasey Drake to push the ball wide. Passing right to left as rookie Sophie Bailey outflanked the BU defense, turning upfield for a sensational try. Bailey also showed a solid defensive effort later, producing a try-saving tackle as they caught a BU flyer from behind to save a score.
 
Holding a 22-12 lead with just 10 minutes remaining, the Terriers gave the Brewers all they could handle in the final stages of the contest. Taking advantage of a VC turnover and a couple of missed tackled, Boston University capitalized to pull the margin to 22-17 late in the game, but the Brewers held on for the victory.
 
Vassar saw a number of outstanding efforts in the contest, including from Lauren Showalter, who carried strong, tackled hard and ripped the ball from opponents – all of which gave the Brewers the chance for the victory. Scrumhalf Julie Geller has solid passes, while center Isabel Rodriguez ran hard and looked comfortable at 12. Vassar's Lauren Showalter had played an outstanding game, carrying strongly, tackling and ripping the ball from opponents, all of which kept the Brewers in the contest.
 
Team: 15 Sophia Bailey 14 Claire Dwyer 13 Zoe Lynch 12 Isabel Rodriguez 11 Jamie Marinez 10 Kasey Drake 9 Julie Geller 1 Andie Authers 2 Katie Canavan 3 Asia Baker 4 Louise Ambler 5 Sylvia Martinez 6 Samuel Tang 7 Sarah Winickoff 8 Lauren Showalter.
 
Subs: Yasmeen Kassem-Scott for Sarah Winickoff, Leila Stark for Andie Authers, Madeline Sumrow for Jamie Marinez, Bella Robinson for Madeline Sumrow, Ariel Birnbaum for Asia Baker, Elise Johnson for Bella Robinson.