Portsmouth, RI - When the dust had settled and the windswept Gardner Seveney Sports Complex was closing down after multiple games of Rugby, the Vassar Brewers had earned their 16th opportunity at the title on Sunday. Two victories over U.Mass., Amherst 31-7 and 24-0 after an opening game in the morning against Fordham University that was an emphatic 55-0 win put them in this position. 

Day one ended in somewhat bizarre fashion with U.Mass., Amherst deciding at halftime that they no longer wanted to continue playing due to lack of front row players. Although playing with uncontested scrums was an option it was not adopted and there seemed to be some ill feeling as U.Mass declined to tunnel up. The net result was that Vassar advanced after leading 24-0 at the interval.

Saturday April 27, 2024

Vassar College Women 55 v 0 Fordham University Women
Tries: Jude Robinson (4), Grace Skakel (1), Zoe Lynch (1), Yasmeen Kassem-Scott (1), Maddie Sumrow (1), Danny White (1).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (4), Sabine Weil (1).

The Beast of the East Tournament this year has been plagued by late withdrawals and teams shifting divisions. Usually this event has a host of teams playing at each level with 8-12 top women's collegiate teams battling for the title. Vassar has a proud record having played 15 times here and being in the Championship game every year. Along the way the Brewers have won the title 10 times.

Initially, Fordham looked quite well organized on defense and was very vocal but Vassar quickly got into stride and punched through small gaps with the forwards making good yards. Fordham tended to set up rather than contest the rucks and that meant plenty of possession for the Brewers. But for some poor handling errors in the backs Vassar might well have gotten on the scoreboard earlier but in the end it made no difference.

Jude Robinson was uncompromising as a ball carrier and was rewarded with 4 tries. C0-captain Grace Skakel plunged over for their second career try and Maddie Sumrow showed real skill weaving through defenders to score. Ella Maniatis had some line breaks and impressed while Danny White also crossed the goal line.

Up front Yasmeen Kassem-Scott was strong from the base of the scrum and the Vassar team kept matters simple hitting one out runners to dent the Fordham defense.

Team: 15 Jude Robinson 14 Danny White 13 Ella Maniatis 12 Maddie Sumrow 11 Leah Dourmashkin 10 Sabine Weil 9 Zoe Lynch 1 Eleanor Jacoby 2 Lola Yost 3 Andie Authers 4 Grace Skakel 5 Ina Zaslavsky 6 Mette McKinney 7 Sam Tang 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott. 
Subs: AC Smith for Andie Authers, Maritza Flores for Eleanor Jacoby, Freya Braiker for Lola Yost, Foster Schrader for Danny White, Lydia Hong for Zoe Lynch.

Vassar College Women 31 v 7 U.Mass., Amherst Women
Tries: Kaitlyn Sostre (1), Penalty Try (1), Zoe Lynch (3).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (2), Penalty Try (1).

A few weeks ago U.Mass brought a rookie team to Vassar Farm and in a battle of the B-sides Vassar prevailed. But the Brewers had a couple of A-side players in the lineup to help the team keep some shape. This game was both schools using much stronger lineups and Vassar was ready for the battle.

Vassar flanker Kaitlyn Sostre alertly scored the first try after a barrage of Vassar pressure. It was just reward for the territory and possession that the Brewers had enjoyed. But U.Mass fought back and when Zoe Lynch was judged to have tackled a player high at the corner flag the referee gave a penalty try and it was 7-7. Moments later Vassar's Danny White was diving for the line after some excellent phase play and they were hit high so it was Vassar's turn to be awarded a penalty try! The score of 14-7 became 19 and then 24 as scrumhalf Zoe Lynch scored from close range and even added a third try to seal the win. 

Team: 15 Jude Robinson 14 Nadya LaMarr 13 Maggie Nealis 12 Maddie Sumrow 11 Danny White 10 Sabine Weil 9 Zoe Lynch 1 Julie Geller 2 Becca Middlen 3 Emma Niehaus 4 Kiki Takata 5 Julia Wolff 6 Kaitlyn Sostre 7 Tate Wagner 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott. 
Subs: Lola Yost for Becca Middlen, Andie Authers for Emma Niehaus.

Semifinal
Vassar College Women 24 v 0 U.Mass., Amherst Women
Tries: Julie Geller (1), Andie Authers (1), Jude Robinson (1), Zoe Lynch (1).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (2).

The first half of this semifinal matchup saw Vassar at their best. U.Mass held the ball for the first 5 minutes and went through multiple phases but made little impression in terms of territory and there were no significant line breaks. Then, when the Brewers got the ball, the runners ran with determination and purpose. It really was good to see the collisions being won and the close support ensuring that the ball was retained.

It was perhaps fitting then that co-captain and prop forward Julie Geller score the opening try running a good line and bosching her way over. Next up was Andie Authers who smashed their way over to send a physical statement to the U.Mass team. The passes were sticking and the whole team grew in confidence as Vassar began to wear down the opposition.

The scrum which had wobbled a bit in the previous match-up was rock solid and there was no stopping VC Rugby from appearing in their 16th final.

Team: 15 Jude Robinson 14 Leah Dourmashkin 13 Maggie Nealis 12 Maddie Sumrow 11 Danny White 10 Sabine Weil 9 Zoe Lynch 1 Eleanor Jacoby 2 Julie Geller 3 Andie Authers 4 Grace Skakel 5 Julia Wolff 6 Mette McKinney 7 Tate Wagner 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott. 

Vassar will face Marist College in the Championship game on Sunday at 12:00 pm.