Portsmouth, RI - Just like last year, the organizers of The Beast of the East Tournament set up both 15s and 7s competitions. The Vassar team opted to compete in 15s only and the 23-Vassar player squad all contributed in the games. Other schools chose to have a 15s and 7s team or solely 7s. But the top 15s division, the Kraken Division, included the University of Connecticut B, UMass., Amherst B, American University, Fordham University, Providence College, the University of Vermont and Marist College.

Game 1 - Saturday 4-22-23
Vassar College Women 51 v 0 University of Connecticut B Women
Tries: Sophia Bailey (2), Isabel Rodriguez (3), Claire Zickl (1), Julie Geller (1), Zoe Lynch (2).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (3).

The University of Connecticut team was without numerous starters since it also had a 7s team playing the next day. Even so, it is a large school and plays at the CRAA Division I level. Vassar has had a number of close games with the UConn A-side so the Brewers were focused for this contest.

At the first few scrums Vassar was able to get a good nudge forward and put UConn under pressure and that led to one poor clearance. Fullback Claire Zickl returned the ball with interest and when it was swung back to the openside Kasey Drake and Isabel Rodriguez ran a simple switch that produced a try.

Vassar caught the restart, went through multiple phases and drove into the UConn 22. The forwards took the ball on with scrumhalf Bailey passing to one out runners, and when a penalty was awarded 10 meters out from the goal line the zippy number 9 needed no further invitation and she tapped and scored. Vassar led 14-0. Little did anyone know that this would be a recurring theme in all the games!

Vassar took a ball against the head just inside their own half and Zoe Lynch, usually a wing but playing at Number 8, picked and went left. It was to be the first excellent foray for Lynch on a weekend where she excelled despite her lack of experience. Again Vassar went through the phases and try number 3 was scored by Isabel Rodriguez right by the posts. Lynch converted it. The Brewers led 21-0.

The next score was a beautiful individual effort. From about center field at the halfway line, Kasey Drake got over the ball and stole it. A quick pass to Rodriguez gave the strong running center some space to exploit. Rodriguez beat 4 defenders and all of them saw the back of her heels as they gave pursuit as she weaved her way to the goal line. Three of the first 4 tries had now been scored by Rodriguez.

As a contest the game was over at halftime and it was very much a case of more of the same. Vassar hitting their one out runners, those forwards making significant inroads and getting well over the gain line. Sophia Bailey added 2 more tries and was as alert as ever when penalties were awarded.

Claire Zickl ran well to score and Zoe Lynch collected 2 tries. Vassar was 1-0 and had to meet Providence College, the Northeast Conference Division II champion from the Fall next.

Team: 15 Claire Zickl 14 Jamie Marinez 13 Rory Thompson 12 Isabel Rodriguez 11 Elise Johnson 10 Kasey Drake 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Julie Geller 2 Katie Canavan 3 Andie Authers 4 Annie Adams 5 Julia Wolff 6 Mette McKinney 7 Louise Ambler 8 Zoe Lynch. 
Subs: Jude Robinson for Claire Zickl, Maddie Sumrow for Elise Johnson, Hannah Thompson for Katie Canavan, Becca Middlen for Julie Geller, Sam Tang for Annie Adams, Nina Fishman for Andie Authers, Danny White for Zoe Lynch.

Game 2 - Saturday 4-22-23
Vassar College Women 43 v 0 Providence College Women
Tries: Sophia Bailey (3), Andie Authers (3), Sam Tang (1).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (4).

Vassar got off to a great start when prop forward Andie Authers charged through to score under the posts after just a couple of minutes. It was to be the first of 3 tries for the Vassar tighthead with the second try coming minutes later after the Vassar forwards had picked multiple times toward the Providence left wing.

Vassar was controlling the game by monopolizing the ball and every credit is due to the forwards as they carried well into contact getting over the gain line. Once close to the goal line again a penalty by Providence allowed Bailey a quick tap opportunity and she scored under the posts. Vassar was up 19-0 and Providence had not fired a single salvo.

The Rhode Island school did put together a series of phases initiated by a penalty but when their left wing went around the outside Vassar fullback Claire Zickl was there to stop her in her tracks.

Andie Authers collected her third try and the second half was a case of damage control for the local team as Vassar put in the substitute players and maintained their shape. Sam Tang scored and Bailey added to her tally as well.

Vassar had earned maximum points from their 2 games and had the highest point differential so was seeded number 1 for the single elimination round.

It turned out that the two Poughkeepsie based schools would slug it out for a place in the tournament final. The top 4 teams were #1 Vassar, #2 UVM, #3 Boston University & #4 Marist College - it would be 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 for a place in the final.

Team: 15 Claire Zickl 14 Maddie Sumrow 13 Rory Thompson 12 Isabel Rodriguez 11 Elise Johnson 10 Kasey Drake 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Julie Geller 2 Katie Canavan 3 Andie Authers 4 Annie Adams 5 Julia Wolff 6 Mette McKinney 7 Louise Ambler 8 Zoe Lynch. 
Subs: Jude Robinson for Elise Johnson, Becca Middlen for Julie Geller, Danny White for Claire Zickl, Jamie Marinez for Maddie Sumrow, Gill Ciaccio for Andie Authers, Becca Middlen for Julie Geller, Sam Tang for Annie Adams, Hannah Thompson for Katie Canavan.

Game 3 - Saturday 4-22-23
Vassar College Women 52 v 12 Marist College Women
Tries: Jude Robinson (3), Louise Ambler (1), Andie Authers (3), Zoe Lynch (1).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (6).

The finalists from 2022 would meet again only this time it was a semifinal. Marist and Vassar have a long history of competition and there is a real mutual respect between the two squads. The late afternoon kick-off would be the third game and both teams were a tad bruised up. But this is a derby game and Marist came out firing on all cylinders. The Marist flyhalf, Megan Chang, is a joy to watch for she plays the game at speed and with intensity. She broke a number of tackles and set the tone leading Marist to a good start and the Red Foxes led 7-0.

Vassar had been caught napping but responded well. The team needed to stop grabbing for the ball and put runners on the deck. This they did and it allowed for there to be a contest at the breakdown and rucks were more frequent.

Vassar's forwards were in a confident mood after the previous two games and they found it straightforward to make yards down the blindside. Ultimately, it was Andie Authers who showed a good turn of pace to score in the left hand corner. Vassar was headed in the right direction and just down by 2 points 5-7.

It was a blustery day and making long passes was ill advised so the Vassar backs kept it close and the forwards did the same. It was Authers who scored again to put Vassar up. Bailey knew her forwards could punch it over the line from 5 meters out and Authers obliged. Vassar now led 12-7 as Lynch popped over the conversion. One felt that while Marist would keep asking questions that Vassar would limit the amount of ball available and prevail. Authers plunged over for a third try and while her name gets the headline, every Vassar forward made good yards when they carried - Mette McKinney, Julia Wolff, Louise Ambler, Julie Geller, Katie Canavan, Zoe Lynch, Annie Adams and the substitutes when they enter the fray. Add in a darting Bailey as well as wings and it was a real handful for Marist. At the half it was 19-7 in Vassar's favor.

Marist always battle for every second of every minute and they opened the second half scoring following a couple of penalties that gave them good field position. At 19-12 it was closer than it felt based on possession and territory. But it was a one score game. Vassar went to work playing up the slope on field 3. A set piece move from a scrum saw Jude Robinsons score the first of their 3 tries in the second half. The inside center filling in for Isabel Rodriguez sliced through from 40 meters out and scored. There was no stopping the Vassar Brewers from reaching the final now and a match up with Boston University. The final score against Marist was a convincing 52-12.

Team: 15 Claire Zickl 14 Danny White 13 Rory Thompson 12 Jude  Robinson 11 Maddie Sumrow 10 Kasey Drake 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Julie Geller 2 Katie Canavan 3 Andie Authers 4 Annie Adams 5 Julia Wolff 6 Mette McKinney 7 Louise Ambler 8 Zoe Lynch. 
Subs: Gill Ciaccio for Andie Authers, Hannah Thompson for Katie Canavan, Elise Johnson for Danny White, Jamie Marinez for Maddie Sumrow, Nina Fishman for Andie Authers.

Vassar are Beasts of the East 2023

Game 4 - Sunday 4-23-23
Tournament Final
Vassar College Women 43 v 0 Boston University
Tries: Andi Authers (3), Sophia Bailey (3), Mette McKinney (1).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (4).

This would be the last collegiate game of the 2022-23 season and Vassar had opened the year playing up in Boston against Boston University back in September. In a scrappy, messy game very much the first game of a new season, Vassar had prevailed 22-19.

The Brewers knew the threats that BU posed and that getting the ball wide was their preferred option. In addition, the number 9 for BU was sharp and quick and liked to tap and go. The question was, which team had improved significantly to make a difference?

Right before the kickoff the rain that was forecast suddenly arrived and then sleet pounded the players. It was freezing cold! The sleet stopped but the rain continued for a little while. This was not good news for BU, for passing was going to be treacherous and the ball would be like a frozen bar of soap! Cue the Vassar picking game! The Vassar players were excited to take on BU in this manner and the Vassar backs were happy enough to play second fiddle until called up to do their part.

From the kickoff BU moved the ball wide but was met by a swarming Vassar defense. Twice Vassar was called for offside, it was marginal but probably looked worse as the team was so keen to get up with good line speed. Senior Rory Thompson, playing at 13, had made textbook tackles all weekend suffocating the attackers and there was a real determination to dominate BU and prevent the wings getting the ball.

Andie Authers scored from a simple pick near the goal line and Vassar led 7-0. The wind was howling and the rain was steady so Vassar's forwards keeping it close made sense. BU could not get out of their own half as their alignment was deep and passing it out wide lost them ground.

Hannah Thompson took a ball against the head and the Vassar pack was driving BU back at the set piece. There really were no promising signs for BU and it was a number of penalties conceded that gave them the ball.

Andie Authers was putting the icing on a great weekend and the prop scored again to give Vassar a larger lead. Julie Geller was very prominent with her runs making big gains and Louise Ambler rarely put a foot wrong in this final.

BU did make an attempt to run more directly but more often than not the runner was well tackled by the inside defenders and when they reverted to passing wide the ball was dropped or yards were lost.

There was a period of about 10-12 minutes in the second half where BU held the ball. It went from side to side and on the Vassar left wing Jamie Marinez made a number of good tackles. One forced the ball loose and Sophia Bailey grabbed it and sprinted 55 yards for a score under the posts. The Vassar lead was 30 odd points and as the weather worsened it was clear there was no way back for BU. They gave it a mighty effort and deserve credit for a lot of hard work but the die had been cast. Further scores from Bailey and Mette McKinney sealed the win.

The final whistle blew and the Brewers were Beast of the East Champions for the 10th time since 1995. Every player had taken the field and it was a wonderful send off for the seniors.

Team: 15 Claire Zickl 14 Jude Robinson 13 Rory Thompson 12 Isabel Rodriguez 11 Jamie Marinez 10 Kasey Drake 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Julie Geller 2 Hannah Thompson 3 Andie Authers 4 Annie Adams 5 Julia Wolff 6 Mette McKinney 7 Louise Ambler 8 Zoe Lynch. Subs: Elise Johnson for Jude Robinson, Gill Ciaccio for Andie Authers, Sam Tang for Annie Adams, Becca Middlen for Julie Geller, Nina Fishman for Hannah Thompson, Maddie Sumrow for Isabel Rodriguez, Danny White for Jamie Marinez.

Epilogue
Twenty-three Vassar players played 4 games over 2 days (abbreviated halves), scoring 30 tries, and converting 17 of them for a total of 189 points. The team averaged 7.75 tries and 47.25 points per game. They conceded just 2 tries in 4 games (both to neighbors Marist College).

Two players in 3 of the 4 games scored hat tricks!

Scorers
Sophia Bailey, scrumhalf, 8 tries, 45 points, 2 hat tricks.
Andie Authers, tighthead prop, 9 tries, 45 points, 3 hat tricks.
Isabel Rodriguez, inside center, 3 tries, 15 points, 1 hat trick.
Jude Robinson, inside center, 3 tries, 15 points, 1 hat trick.
Zoe Lynch, Number 8, 3 tries, 15 points & 17 conversions for 34 points.
Claire Zickl, fullback, 1 try, 5 points.
Julie Geller, loosehead prop, 1 try, 5 points.
Louise Ambler, flanker, 1 try, 5 points.
Sam Tang, lock, 1 try, 5 points.
Mette McKinney, flanker, 1 try, 5 points.

While the scorers get the ink the entire squad deserves credit for this weekend. Rookie Becca Middlen carried the ball well; Nina Fishman scrummaged strongly; Sam Tang scored and ran with real purpose; Danny White is looking more and more comfortable and is quick; Elise Johnson presented the ball well and continues to improve; Gill Ciaccio playing just her second weekend after a year out with an ACL reconstruction was excellent; Maddie Sumrow tackled and battled; Annie Adams started all 4 games. The blend of veterans doing the right thing and the rookies following suit is very satisfying to watch.

It is so exciting to see that all these players are contributing, displaying some of these basic skills - good ball placement, making tackles, good scrummaging, soaring in lineouts and charging runs.

Overall record: 19-3-0

Next: Saturday April 29th, 2023 Vassar College v Alum XV at the Farm kick-off 11:00 am