Staunch Defense Wins Championships

Houston, TX -  This time last year Vassar scrumhalf Sophia Bailey suffered a injury in the final minutes of the National Championship game against the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. The Brewers lost 29-32 having taken the lead 29-27 with 7 minutes remaining and the pain on both accounts was palpable. The Brewers were devastated as the chance for a National title three-peat had slipped away. Fast forward to this Sunday, December 8th, 2024 and in the 10th minute of the final against the same opponent, Bailey sprinted the length of the field to score in the very same corner and give Vassar a 12-0 lead. This was as sweet as it gets and while the scrumhalf can take great pride in that try this was a massive team effort with and without the ball.

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE RUGBY

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

WOMEN'S DIVISION II

Vassar College Women 24 v 5 University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Women

Tries: Jude Robinson (1), Sophia Bailey (1) & Leah Dourmashkin (2). 

Cons: Zoe Lynch (2).

To state that the Vassar team was totally focused and badly wanting this rematch would be akin to young Taylor Swift fans on Ticketmaster wanting to attend The Era's Tour. Well, the Brewers got their wish and a chance at redemption. 

Blistering Start

At about the 6 minute mark fullback Jude Robinson burst through and scored after a blistering start by Vassar. Then 4 minutes later Bailey scorched the grass and went 75 yards to make it 12-0. Then at 13:05 Leah Dourmashkin went under the posts after an interception and a delicious offload by center Maddie Sumrow. UWEC had to be stunned as they were down 19-0 and not even a quarter of an hour had passed.

The Brewers now needed to maintain their intensity and deal with whatever UWEC threw at them. The Blugolds came battling back, bashing upfield and then swinging the ball wide. The Vassar defense bent but didn't break but it was dented at times and on 3 or 4 occasions the UWEC back was one on one with Vassar's fullback Jude Robinson and the former was stopped dead in their tracks. It was classic fullback duty and tries were not conceded.

While those tackles were outstanding it should be said that the defensive work of the Vassar backs was excellent. Ella Maniatis consistently dragged ball carriers to the ground and Sabine Weil was a force to be reckoned with in contact. Wing Leah Dourmashkin hunted down anyone who dared to run around her and it was wonderful to see the Vassar defensive line swarming up giving UWEC little to no time to create..

Up front it was a slugfest! Vassar had an edge in the set piece with a nudge at the scrums and though the lineouts were a tad messy Vassar had the better possessions. However, the real battle was at the breakdown. UWEC, like most teams, is keen to jackal the ball and they did garner some turnovers but Vassar rucked well enough to provide continuity and put phases together.

After Vassar's third try at 13 minutes and with the score at 19-0, the teams competed with no scores until the 54th minute! That period of play, 41 minutes in total, bore witness to both teams attacking and a real seesaw contest, with no quarter asked nor given. 

It was a case of strong efforts from both teams and an absorbing contest. UWEC would probe each side of the breakdown then pop the ball wider for a pod of forwards or pass the ball along the back Division. Vassar too ran off the fringes or picked before unleashing their backs.

It was UWEC that scored next as they worked the ball down their left flank and the 2 speedsters combined to go over. Initially, it looked like the ball was held up in-goal but the try was awarded and with 26 minutes left there was light at the end of the tunnel for the Wisconsin school as it was 19-5.

UWEC opted to put in some crossfield kicks as the line speed and tackling from Vassar was preventing forward progress. A reasonable tactical option. But if the opposition gains possession there can be consequences. Vassar left wing Dourmashkin collected one such kick, made some ground and passed inside to Robinson who burst forward with a big gain and UWEC was having to chase back.

It was Dourmashkin who settled Vassar nerves when she took a short pass from a ruck, bumped a tackler off and then sprinted to score. 14 minutes remained and Vassar led 24-5.

The scoreline would not change and a second half of 1-try apiece (5-5) was testimony to the tightness of the contest. Vassar had won on the back of a dogged defensive performance. Yes, ball possession had played a role but the defining moments had been defense. Kudos goes to all the squad for this achievement for in order to play effective defense one needs meaningful practice sessions.

NCR's Angela Smarto, the Director for Women's Rugby, presented the Most Valuable Player Award to Vassar's Jude Robinson and the Heart and Soul Award, nominated by the Vassar captains Zoe Lynch and  Andie Authers went to VC lock Julia Wolff. But every Vassar player played their part and was cheered on from the stands of SaberCats Stadium by family, friends and a host of alums.

National Collegiate Rugby (NCR)

Vassar College - National Champions 2024

Women's Division II

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 Emma Niehaus 3 Eleanor Jacoby 4 Julia Wolff 5 Sam Tang 6 Tate Wagner 7 Mette McKiney 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott.

Subs: Nina Fishman for Andie Authers. (62), Nadya LaMarr for Sam Tang (76), Makaela Weldon for Maddie Sumrow (78), Sarah Towne, Kiki Takata, Rosie Perkinson, Lydia Hong & AC Smith.

Squad: Rahmat Gambari, Maisy Richardson, Freya Braiker, Foster Schrader, Caedwyn Bardsley-Cutler, Ina Zaslavsky, Danny White, Zoey Ojalvo, Sophie Moreau, Sadye Krell, Chloe Ellis, Maggie Nealis, Maritza Flores, Gabby Gitau, Eleanor Gegen, Gus Pointer Mace, Becca Middlen, Ellie Carr, Sacha Karasik.

Record: 15-0-0.

Conference: 9-0-0.

Next: Spring Season 2025.