Hempstead, NY - The Tri-State Conference 7s Championship was hosted by Hofstra University and 12 Conference teams played a combined total of 26 games, with the final pitting the two undefeated teams against one another. The Vassar College Men were up against Fairfield University Men and it went right down to the wire.
The Road to the Conference 7s Final
The Brewers went 3-0 in pool play dispatching Drew University (Won 33-7), Montclair State University (Won 41-10) and SUNY-Maritime College (Won 19-12) The semifinal was the fourth game and it was a cracking matchup against the hosts Hofstra University resulting with a Vassar victory 24-21.
Meanwhile Fairfield also carved out a similar route winning, against Seton Hall University B side (Won 36-5), then SUNY-New Paltz (Won 35-10) and their final pool victory was over USMMA, Kings Point (Won 24-12). The Stags semifinal opponent was Seton Hall University A-side which was won 29-19 .
It was a windy cold day and the 50 degree temperature that was forecast was an exaggeration to say the least but all the teams did give it their best shot moving the ball wide and dealing with the tricking gusts of wind.
Vassar College 33 v 7 Drew University
Tries: Matheo Dwyer (1), Olly Skeet-Browning (2), TJ Usher (1), Kaiden Tocher (1).
Cons: Olly Skeet-Browning (4).
The Vassar squad was able to move the ball quite well initially and scrumhalf
Matheo Dwyer scooted in for the opening try of the Brewer bid for the title. It certainly seemed like Vassar had the pace and method over their New Jersey opponents and so it played out with Olly Skeet-Browning collecting a brace and
TJ Usher zigging and zagging all over the field.
Drew had a good day going 2-1 and was in contention for the best runner-up playoff position but lost out on points difference at the reckoning.
Vassar Team: 1 Finn Smith 2 Benson Cao 3 Kaiden Tocher 9 Matheo Dwyer 10 Olly Skeet-Browning 12 TJ Usher 14 Kiran Mulllen. Subs: Zach Prince for Benson Cao, Mark Gislason for Kiran Mullen.
Vassar College 39 v 10 Montclair State University
Tries: Olly Skeet-Browning (2), Kaiden Tocher (1), Matheo Dwyer (1), Zach Prince (1), Kiran Mullen (1), Mark Gislason (1).
Cons: Olly Skeet-Browning (2).
Right from the outset it was clear that Vassar would be able to move the ball as MSU did not apply any real defensive pressure.Skeet-Browning had a field day with time and space. MSU did have some very athletic players but it was very much individual effort and no shape to their attack. Vassar's Kiran Mullen was unceremoniously stiff armed not just once but twice by the same speedster within seconds and it may well go viral such was the air time!
Vassar Team: 1 Finn Smith 2 Kaiden Tocher 3 Zach Prince 9 Matheo Dwyer 10 Olly Skeet-Browning 12 TJ Usher 14 Kiran Mulllen. Subs: Phil Knowlton for Matheo Dwyer, Mark Gislason for Olly Skeet-Browning, Samia Jaman for Kiran Mullen.
Vassar College 19 v 12 SUNY Maritime College
Tries: Zach Prince (1), Penalty Try (1), TJ Usher (1).
Cons: Olly Skeet-Browning (1).
Back in the Fall Vassar faced SUNY-Maritime in the 15s playoffs and it was a tight contest with Vassar emerging winners. This game followed a similar script as Vassar struggled initially with the physicality of the Merchant Mariners. Down late in the second half 12-7 with a single try from Zach Prince, Olly Skeet-Browning produced a magical run but he was tackled high right on the goal line. The referee had no option but to award the penalty try and issue a yellow card. This was an impressive rally and in keeping their composure the team was able to add another score to ice the game when TJ Usher broke free.
Vassar Team: 1 Finn Smith 2 Kaiden Tocher 3 Zach Prince 9 Matheo Dwyer 10 Olly Skeet-Browning 12 TJ Usher 14 Kiran Mullen.
Championship Semifinal
Vassar College 24 v 21 Hofstra University
Tries: Zach Prince (1), TJ Usher (1), Olly Skeet-Browning (2).
Cons: Olly Skeet-Browning (2).
Hofstra, unbeaten to this point at 3-0 and the winner of Pool A, must have felt that this match would provide some redemption for their Conference 15s Final loss back in the Fall. It was a cagey affair with both teams probing and creating half chances. Fast forward to the second half and the scoreline was not looking good for the Brewers. Hofstra led with about 50 seconds left in the game and Vassar turned the ball over! The Brewers had clawed their way back into the contest with a couple of super tries from TJ Usher and Olly Skeet-Browning. As time expired the ball was nudged back from a Hofstra ruck just inside the Vassar half. The Hofstra halfback decided to kick the ball off the field to bring matters to a halt and send Hofstra to the final. But Vassar's Finn Smith had other ideas and he managed to block the kick with the ball spilling over to Vassar. In a furious immediate attack Vassar kept the ball live and went down the touchline for the winning try! It's never over until it's over!
Vassar Team: 1 Finn Smith 2 Kaiden Tocher 3 Zach Prince 9 Matheo Dwyer 10 Olly Skeet-Browning 12 TJ Usher 14 Kiran Mulllen. Subs: Mark Gislason for Zach Prince.
Tri-State Conference 7s
Championship Final
Vassar College 7 v 19 Fairfield University
Tries: Kiran Mullen (1).
Cons: Olly Skeet-Browning (1).
Vassar dominated the opening half in terms of possession and territory but did seem a tad hesitant at times to take clear cut opportunities. Too often players would make an additional pass when a more direct line would have been the better option. It was clear that fatigue was now playing a part in decision making and although Vassar led after Kiran Mullen slithered through intelligently, some costly errors allowed Fairfield to lead 12-7. at the break.
In a somewhat attritional second half there was just the one score despite a number of line breaks from both teams. Three times Usher went through only to need closer support and the ball was lost in the tackle. Usher had excelled all day and is a handful for any defense be it 15s or 7s. In fact, all the Vassar lads had played their hearts out and made the college proud but on this day the title would belong to Fairfield as they took their chances and defended to the bitter end.
Vassar Team: 1 Finn Smith 2 Kaiden Tocher 3 Zach Prince 9 Matheo Dwyer 10 Olly Skeet-Browning 12 TJ Usher 14 Kiran Mulllen. Subs: Zach Prince, Mark Gislason for Finn Smith, Owen for Olly Skeet-Browning.
Vassar scored 20 tries and made 10 conversions over 5 games went 4-1 and finished Tri-State Conference 7s Runner-up.
Next weekend: Sunday April 14, 2024 Vassar College Men host the University at Albany and Sacred Heart University Men at Vassar Farm in a round-robin 7s event, KO 10:30 am and final game is at 3:10 pm.
