TROY, NY - The Vassar College Women's Rugby team opened its conference schedule with a road trip to Troy, NY, which is always a challenge as the home team Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers are a feisty and physical team. The Vassar players  would need to be committed to their defensive duties and take care of the ball when in possession.

Vassar College Women 34  v  5 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Tries: Asia Baker (1), Danny White (2), Sophia Bailey (1), Lauren Showalter (1), Julia Wolff (1) .
Cons: Zoe Lynch (2).

Vassar sent a message at the first scrum in this first of the year conference games as they shunted the Engineers back. Credit is due to the hosts as they held on despite the pressure but their clearance kicks did not find touch. Vassar wing, first year student Leah Dourmashkin, fielded each one and was also solid defensively making tackles when needed.

Vassar lost field position on account of giving away penalties, one of which saw Rensselaer opt to kick for goal. The Engineers failed to score and Vassar eventually marched back downfield after good tackles from Asia Baker and Sophia Bailey. When Jude Robinson made a good tackle, wing Danny White was over the ball like a hawk at dinner time. The turnover relieved pressure and then Baker found the goal line to give the Brewers a 7-0 lead as Zoe Lynch slotted the conversion.

That first score was followed up by a good try by Danny White who took a flat pass at pace and Vassar had opened up some space with a 12-0 lead. At the base of the scrum Lauren Showalter was having a good day at the office. Last year they were asked to be explosive and more dynamic and that is now the norm. It is a feature of any player's game that can bear repeating. Showalter was able to get by defenders and in behind the RPI defense.

Vassar's third try was the result of Sophia Bailey thinking quickly and it took matters to 19-0. The half finished with Bailey showing what a valuable defensive asset she is to her team as she made a crunching tackle knocking the attacker into touch.

The second half began with the home team getting on the scoresheet. It was difficult to see exactly how it came about but it was not the start. the Brewers wanted. At 19-5 it was important for Vassar to get the next score so as to not surrender the initiative.

Vassar was guilty of not getting to rucks quickly enough and it allowed RPI defenders to poach possession.

Maddie Sumrow came on at inside center and made a good initial impression getting over the gain line with ball in hand. Next Danny White looked certain to score but dropped the ball right at the goal line. Cue Lauren Showalter to the rescue. Vassar's Number 8 ran well and went over and the gap was back to 19 points at 24-5.

The score seemed to motivate RPI and that coupled with Vassar failing to retreat 10 quickly at penalties allowed the home team to gain momentum. Annie Adams, on for Mette McKinney, continued to impress with her running and then White showed their magic beating 3 defenders before being dragged down.

Last year Claire Zickl was Vassar's first choice fullback but they graduated and Jude Robinson has stepped into the role and not missed a beat. Robinson has impressed with open field tackles in all the games played thus far. A fine catch when RPI kicked  was returned with interest before they were bundled into touch in the RPI 22.

The pressure of being deep in their own half was beginning to take a toll on RPI.  Vassar's Julia Wolff ran one out and scored from inside the 22. Then Sophia Bailey passed to Danny White who sprinted over. It could well have been more as Lynch's conversion attempt hit the cross bar but 34-5 was a strong lead to take against the home side.

Mark Griffiths, at the helm in the absence of head coach Tony Brown, rang some more changes and Samuel Tang came on. The utility forward has been impressive thus far this fall running strongly and putting in good tackles.

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 Grace Skakel 6 Mette  McKinney 7 Asia Baker 8 Lauren Showalter. Subs: Annie Adams for Mette McKinney, Sam Tang for Andie Authers, Maddie Sumrow for Leah Dourmashkin, Nina Fishman for Katie Canavan, Becca Middlen for Grace Skakel, Lola Yost for Julia Wolff, Kiki Takata for Asia Baker.