POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - It's been too long since the Vassar Women's Rugby team played a game. In fact, when the Brewers take to the field at the University of Virginia this Sunday, March 10th at 1:00 pm, it'll have been 97 days.

This past week has seen a squad of 21 players assemble in New Castle, Virginia and in between practice sessions the players have gone canoeing, climbing and caving. There has been some down time too as the team has enjoyed the peace and quiet of the Virginia hills.

The lineup for Sunday may not look very familiar when set against the Fall starting fifteen but it is time to sow the seeds for next Fall and the future. Of the 21 players, 10 have played less than 5 rugby games in their life! But this week the attitude has been exemplary with lots of enthusiasm and commitment.

The back three does have Jude Robinson at 15 to anchor the group along with Danny White on one wing. The other wing slot is contested by Nadya LaMarr and Ella Maniatis, both first year students. LaMarr may also see time at fullback and Maniatis could go to outside center.

The center partnership sees Maddie Sumrow and Maggie Nealis paired. Both have shown real promise this week and are deserving of this opportunity. They will have to work hard and defend well as a unit so staying focused is key.

The halfback partnership will see Zoe Lynch, who will wear the number 9 jersey, link with Sabine Weil. It's a new combination so the learning curve is steep to state the obvious. Their backups will be White and Sumrow respectively.

In the forwards for the Brewers there are some projects in the making, although the front row will initially be experienced as Julia Wolff, Becca Middlen and Andie Authers will engage the opposition. It could be that first year players Eleanor Jacoby, Emma Niehaus and Freya Braiker get some time as members of the Vassar pack in one of those front 3 slots. Niehaus could also feature in the backrow and Jacoby might be used if need be with the backs, given that she played all fall at 12.

In the engine room, captain and senior Grace Skakel will pack down with one of Kiki Takata, Zoey Ojalvo or perhaps Niehaus. An exciting backrow could see Lauren Showalter move to flanker allowing Tate Wagner to play Number 8 and if Wolff moves to lock then that would free up Takata to play flanker. The status of Foster Schrader is still to be determined but they are another of this back 5 contingent. Rounding out the squad but not yet back to full contact, so ineligible, is Yasmine Kassem-Scott.

While the focus is on these players here and now, there are a host of others who will be fully involved when Spring Break is over so it is an exciting time for Vassar College Rugby.

Spring is in the air and while we don't know if it will be raining and we don't know if it will be sunny, it's something that's part of the season and it's a time of new beginnings.

Squad: Jude Robinson, Danny White, Nadya LaMarr, Ella Maniatis, Maggie Nealis, Maddie Sumrow, Sabine Weil, Zoe Lynch, Julia Wolff, Becca Middlen, Andie Authers, Eleanor Jacoby, Emma Niehaus, Freya Braiker, Grace Skakel, Kiki Takata, Zoey Ojalvo, Lauren Showalter, Tate Wagner, Foster Schrader & Yasmeen Kassem-Scott.