Poughkeepsie, NY - Last year, Vassar faced Fairfield twice on the road and lost the regular season game but bounced back to win the Conference Championship game 28-10. On this chilly wet Saturday, Fairfield traveled to Poughkeepsie and was without their seniors, so the task for the visitors was all the more difficult. At the half it was 26-0 and while the Brewers ran on their substitutes in that second 40 minutes, there was no way back in difficult wet conditions.

Vassar College Women 48 v 0 Fairfield University Women
Tries: Asia Baker (4), Sophia Bailey (1), Mette McKinney (1), Julie Geller (1), Jude Robinson (1) .
Cons: Zoe Lynch (3) & Julia Wolff (1).

This weekend is the start of Fall Break and Vassar had a number of players unavailable. Fortunately, the majority of the current starters were on hand and the memory of a 41-19 defeat was definitely on the minds of the Brewers. Fairfield even wore the same pink jerseys that had been worn in October 2022.

There was a real sense of urgency and purpose about the Vassar team in this game. No doubt there was the need to put the loss to Columbia last weekend behind them. In the opening exchanges Vassar monopolized the ball until it was knocked on just short of the Fairfield goal line. Fairfield kicked to relieve pressure but Jude Robinson, the Vassar fullback, snatched up the ball and Vassar had possession again. Moments later Asia Baker went over for the first try under the posts. It would be the first of 4 tries the flanker come prop would collect. Her no nonsense attitude and go forward runs is a tonic to the team and her teammates would do well to emulate her aggressive and forceful running style.

Vassar's second try was simple enough as Sophia Bailey linked with Number 8 Lauren Showalter and a simple sprint for the corner saw the scrumhalf go over. Vassar led 12-0 with Zoe Lynch just short from a difficult angle although she had slotted the first convversion.

Bailey was particularly busy in the opening 20 minutes, making the first tackle, taking quick tap penalties, distributing to backs and forwards and also making a couple of covering tackles. She was joined by Julia Wolff and the other forwards as they carried and rucked quickly. Multiple phases stressed the Fairfield defense after a lineout Vassar went 11 phases before a scrum was set and then a further 5 phases and Baker had her second try. Lynch's kick made it 19-0 and about 29 minutes had been played.

Mette McKinney deservedly went over and at the half it was 26-0. The Vassar forwards went right back to work at the start of the second half with strong running. Andie Authers and Asia Baker punched holes in the defense and with 3 subs on the fresh legs helped as well. Baker literally ran over the fullback and Vassar was past comfortable now at 33-0.

Credit is due to the Fairfield fifteen for sticking to their guns and battling hard but the wealth of possession was with Vassar and it was always a rearguard action.

Vassar finished the afternoon with players moved into different positions and it was valuable to see rookies getting experience for the future.

The players will get a couple of days off now and then back on the practice field on Wednesday.

Team: 15 Jude Robinson 14 Leah Dourmashkin 13 Sabine Weil 12 Eleanor Jacoby 11 Danny White 10 Zoe Lynch 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Julie Geller 2 Katie Canavan 3 Andie Authers 4 Julia Wolff 5 Annie Adams 6 Mette  McKinney 7 Asia Baker 8 Lauren Showalter. 
Subs: Sam Tang for Katie Canavan, Leila Stark for Julia Wolff, Sadie Hammarhead for Danny White, Becca Middlen for Andie Authers, Tate Wagner for Lauren Showalter, Emma Niehaus for Sabine Weil, Ella Maniatis for Sophia Bailey.