Poughkeepsie, NY - This match-up of the Conference number one seeded team, hosting the number eight seed, proved a solid test for the Vassar College Brewers. Although the scoreline might suggest otherwise the Stony Brook University players made tackles and when in possession held the ball for decent periods of time. In the end though the Seawolves were worn down and Vassar found gaps and got the ball wide for scores.

Vassar College Women 62 v 0 Stony Brook University Women
Tries: Jude Robinson (3), Sophia Bailey (3), Andie Authers (1), Leah Dourmashkin (1) Yasmeen Kassem-Scott (1) & Nadya LaMarr (1),
Cons: Zoe Lynch (4) & Nadya LaMarr (2).

A 10-try haul by Vassar with six in the first 40 minutes and a further four in the second half, was possible in part because the game was played in dry and warm conditions. It was a tad surprising that early on Vassar had a few dropped passes but the mistakes didn't phase the players and there was plenty of good that followed.

Jude Robinson got on the scoresheet first when the ball was swiftly moved to the left wing channel after some good approach work. Next up was Sophia Bailey with a signature tap and go from about 35 yards out. Lynch converted this second try and with 12 points on the board after 15 minutes Vassar seemed comfortable. When skipper Andie Authers crashed over, again after a few phases, the players must have realized that if they could keep their shape and defend strongly it would be a good day at the office. Bailey would add a further two tries for her hat-trick before the halftime break and those tries were either side of a score from wing Leah Dourmashkin who had earlier been off for a cut.

The team showed its best shape defensively this season as players were quicker at getting set up, assignments were known and in addition there were a host of solid head on tackles. Amazing that when in position and the players are organized the game becomes a lot simpler. It was also very pleasing to see the tackling form on the end of that alignment.

The goal is to get even better over the next week and have less errors and more consistency.

The second half saw Vassar continue to have the majority of the ball but when Stony Brook did have it the Brewers defense was ready.

Next up is the semifinal of the Conference and a game against Marist College. Marist is unbeaten this year and will bring their usual ferocity and strong running to the Vassar Farm. Vassar will definitely need to be ready yet again.

Team: 15 Jude Robinson 14 Zoe Lynch 13 Ella Maniatis 12 Maddie Sumrow 11 Leah Dourmashkin 10 Sabine Weil 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Andie Authers 2 Nina Fishman 3 Eleanor Jacoby 4 Julia Wolff 5 Samuel Tang 6 Tate Wagner 7 Mette McKinney 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott.
Subs: Nadya LaMarr for Leah Dourmashkin (B), Kiki Takata for Nina Fishman (B), Makaela Weldon for Maddie Sumrow, Nadya LaMarr for Leah Dourmashkin, Maggie Nealis for Zoe Lynch.

Record: 9-0-0.
Conference: 6-0-0.

Next: Sunday November 3, 2024 Vassar College Women v Marist College Women, Tri-State Conference semifinal game at Vassar Farm, KO 12:00 pm (to be confirmed.)

Vassar College Women 24 v 22 Siena College Women
Tries: Gus Pointer-Mace (1), Sarah Towne (1), Rosie Perkinson (1) & Rahmat Gambari (1).
Cons: Nadya LaMarr (2).

This was just what the doctor ordered for both the Vassar and Siena teams. It was always close and there was plenty of continuity from both teams. This was Siena's A-side who play in Division III and the Vassar B-side was going to be tested for sure.

Initially, Siena did a very good job of retaining possession but the Vassar tackling was very good and attack after attack was rebuffed. Gabriella Gitau put in some thumping tackles and was well supported by teammates. Sarah Towne was like an Exocet missile in attack and defense while the more experienced Kiki Takata and Zoey Ojalvo led well. Lydia Hong at 9 is a brave player for time and time again tackles were made that stopped ball carriers in their tracks. In fact the defensive effort seemed to give the team a great deal of confidence that bled into the attack when in possession.

Siena took the lead 5-0 as a break away down the left was successful. But Vassar rookie Gus Pointer-Mace wasted no time in providing Vassar's reply. At the half it was still 5-5 and any doubts about whether a win was possible were put to bed. But it was going to take a big effort and the team needed to trust the systems and shape to get over the whitewash. Vassar's cause was not helped when the team lost Maggie Nealis with an injury for the fullback had looked sharp and done well.

However, it was Siena that scored next, not once but twice and the visitors led 17-5. Vassar clawed their way back into the contest and at 17-12 it was a one score game. But again Siena went over and it didn't look good for the Brewers at 22-12. A 10-point margin looked pretty good with just over 15 minutes left. Cometh the hour, cometh the player and a wonderful athletic catch by Vassar's Rosie Perkinson from a Chloe Ellis pass saw the center slice through the Siena defense and outrun the defense for a try under the sticks. There was everything to play for at 22-19 and it was Siena who were hanging on when they must have thought they were home dry. Vassar swung the ball out to rookie Rahmat Gambari and with elbows and knees flying in all directions the wing went through to the delight of all the Vassar team and supporters. 24-22 was the final and a reminder that it is never over until it is over!

Team: 15 Maggie Nealis 14 Nadya Lamarr 13 Rosie Perkinson 12 Makaela Weldon 11 Foster Schrader 10 Chloe Ellis 9 Lydia Hong 1 Freya Braiker 2 Gus Pointer-Mace 3 Freya Braiker 4 Caedwyn Bardsley Cutler 5 Zoey Ojalvo 6 Ellie Carr 7 Kiki Takata 8 Sarah Towne.
Subs: Rahmat Gambari for Maggie Nealis, Sacha Karasik for Ellie Carr, Ally Salve for Foster Schrader, Zoe Lynch for Kiki Takata, Sadye Krell for Sarah Towne & Rylan Liu.
Injured: Maritza Flores, Maisy Richardson, Ina Zaslavsky, Sophie Moreau, Cher Mei, Becca Middlen & Eleanor Gegen.
Unavailable: Danny White & Jaleea Medeiros.
JYA: Annie Adams & Yael Tuckman.