Women's Rugby Tussels With Penn State

Positives for Brewers against Division I opponent

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - Penn State University Women came to Poughkeepsie and the Division I Rugby school brought a side that was predominantly newer players with a sprinkling of experience. It was an entertaining game to watch as the visitors spread the ball wide and there were plenty of tries. It was a good experience for the Vassar squad although they were on the wrong end of the result as Penn State triumphed 59-7.

Vassar College Women 7 v 59 Pennsylvania State University
Tries: Asia Baker (1).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (1).

The Nittany Lions have long been a major force in collegiate women's rugby and even without the majority of their starters the result was never in question. The whole point of the contest was to get a good standard game that not only would expose what the teams need to do but also to provide a showpiece for the newcomers.

Vassar had some good short periods and there were a lot of individual positive contributions. Some outstanding tackling from wing Jamie Marinez and fullback Jude Robinson; Sophia Bailey linking well with forwards and backs alike; Asia Baker rampaging down the field, a ferocious ball carrier; rookies Nadar LaMarr and Eleanor Jacoby to mention just two running and tackling well.

Vassar certainly got their money's worth for the test posed by the visitors was indeed comprehensive. Penn State moved the ball well, stretching the defense time and time again. The first 20 minutes was played at a fast pace and Penn State led 12-0. The second try was a gift when the Brewers failed to be alive at a quick tap on the halfway line.

The second 20 minute period was also a hard fought affair with Penn State scoring a further 12 points but Vassar responded with a try from flanker Asia Baker. At 24-7 it might have been argued that Vassar was still in with a shout but the reality was that Penn State had squandered a few chances with some dropped passes or scrambling Vassar defense.

Vassar opened the third 20 minute period with a few more rookies and the defense began to get breached. But valuable lessons were learned when it came to dealing with the hard tackling Penn State defense. The Poughkeepsie python was not as effective given less attention to the rucking.

In the final quarter of the game Penn State definitely played with more reserve and they might well have scored a few more tries had they kept the ball in hand.

The 2023-24 season is now underway and with a lot of hard work and a better understanding of the team coordination necessary the future looks very bright.

Team: 15 Jude Robinson 14 Nadya LaMarr 13 Sadie Hammarhead 12 Isabel Rodriguez 11 Jamie Marinez 10 Zoe Lynch 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Julie Geller 2 Katie Canavan 3 Andie Authers 4 Julia Wolff 5 Grace Skakel 6 Mette McKinney 7 Asia Baker 8 Lauren Showalter.
Subs: Becca Middlen, Nina Fishman, Leila Stark, Sam Tang, Annie Adams, Maddie Sumrow, Maya Winter, Eleanor Jacoby, Sabine Weil, Leah Dourmashkin, Kaitlyn Sostre, Kiki Takata, Tate Wagner, Lola Yost, Ava Smith.
DNP: Danny White, Risha Kulkarni, Freya Braiker, Ava Casalino, Ava McClure, Jaleea Medeiros, Maggie Nealis, Emma Niehaus, Carmen Skinder, Maeve Smith, Samantha Rich, Yasmeen Kassem-Scott, Yael Tuckman, Georgia Macy, Sophie Camplejohn, Emma daRosa, Luize Lanka, Ella Maniatis, Zoey Ojalvo, Maekela Weldon, Esther Wiebe & Ina Zaslavsky.

Next weekend: Saturday September 16th, 2023 Vassar College Women at the University of Vermont Women KO 12:00 noon

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Players Mentioned

Andie Authers: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Asia Baker: 5' 4"; Junior

Katie Canavan: 4' 9"; Junior

Julie Geller: 5' 2"; Junior

Zoe Lynch: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Jamie Marinez: Junior

Isabel Rodriguez: Sophomore

Lauren Showalter: 5' 8"; Junior

Grace Skakel: 5' 8"; Junior

Maeve Smith: 5' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Andie Authers
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Asia Baker
: 5' 4"; Junior

Katie Canavan
: 4' 9"; Junior

Julie Geller
: 5' 2"; Junior

Zoe Lynch
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Jamie Marinez
: Junior

Isabel Rodriguez
: Sophomore

Lauren Showalter
: 5' 8"; Junior

Grace Skakel
: 5' 8"; Junior

Maeve Smith
: 5' 4"; Junior

Vassar College Athletics

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned