Kutztown, PA - Next weekend, the Vassar Brewers open their Tri-State Conference play taking on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. In preparation the Brewers traveled to Kutztown, Pennsylvania to take on the Golden Bears and it was an opportunity to look at combinations and lock down some basics. The hosts had played the previous day and tied conference rivals the University of Delaware but they would not have expected such a fast clinical onslaught that took place. In the opening 20 minute period Vassar scored five tries and led 33-0. As both teams ran in their substitutes the tries continued.

Vassar College Women 90 v 0 Kutztown University Women
Tries: Leah Dourmashkin (1), Makaela Weldon (1), Andie Authers (1), Sabine Weil (1), Kiki Takata (1), Emma Niehaus (1), Tate Wagner (1), Julia Wolff (1), Sam Tang (2), Zoe Lynch (1), Ina Zaslavsky (1), Nadya LaMarr (1), Maddie Sumrow (1). 
Cons: Zoe Lynch (10).

Thirteen different Vassar players scored tries for the Brewers with Ina Zaslavsky and Makaela Weldon getting their first ever tries. Zoe Lynch had a good day off the tee slotting 10 conversions and the Brewers showed real shape and discipline to stun the home team. The Vassar backs had a field day as Zoe Lynch and Sabine Weil at halfback delivered good ball and the forwards were quick to the breakdown to ensure fast ball was recycled.

Vassar dominated but at the same time Kutztown had quite a few solid tacklers and hustled throughout the match. The Vassar players spoke after the game stating that the Kutztown players got low in the rucks, were aggressive throughout and had a strong scrum that was difficult to shift. However, it would seem fair to state that there was quite a bit of inexperience so they were often caught out of position.

In stark contrast, Vassar has a host of sophomores who got playing time last year and have quickly bought into the Vassar systems and are playing with great confidence. Sprinkle in some upperclassmen with even more experience and a dash of first year athleticism and voilà you have a try scoring machine.

Rather than detail the tries it seems more appropriate to list some of the good areas of play, starting with defensive excellence. AC Smith made a slew of text book tackles stopping runners in their tracks;  Mette McKinney soared high in the lineouts and gave quality ball to the backs; Makaela Weldon ran good lines and made consistent line breaks; positional changes made no never mind as Leah Dourmashkin went into scrumhalf seamlessly; Maddie Sumrow ran with authority and purpose deservedly getting a try; the forwards rucked relentlessly; Sam Tang carried the ball strongly; Ella Maniatis tackled and ran well; and rookie Sarah Towne showed that she will be a strong player.

Vassar will now look to next weekend and the start of Conference play.

Team: 15 Sophia Bailey 14 Foster Schrader 13 Maddie Sumrow 12 Makaela Weldon 11 Leah Dourmashkin 10 Sabine Weil 9 Zoe Lynch 1 Andie Authers 2 Emma Niehaus 3 Eleanor Jacoby 4 Julia Wolff 5 Sam Tang 6 Kiki Takata 7 Mette McKiney 8 Tate Wagner.
Traveling subs: Nadya LaMarr, Ella Maniatis, Lydia Hong, Freya Braiker, AC Smith, Nina Fishman, Ina Zaslavsky, Sarah Towne, Gus Pointer Mace, Eleanor Gegen, Ellie Carr, Caedwyn Bardsley Cutler, Rachmat Gambari &  Clara Mikos.
Injured/sick: Jude Robinson, Yasmeen Kassem Scott, Becca Middlen, Maggie Nealis, Maritza Flores & Danny White.
Non-traveling subs: Zoey Ojalvo, Sophie Moreau, Gabriella Gitau, Zoe Blankespoor, Claire Blisard, Chloe Ellis, Maisy Richardson, Alexandra Karasik, Sadye Krell, Rylan Liu, Jaleea Medeiros, Cher Mei, Rosie Perkinson, Alessandra Salve & Kinsey Wang.
JYA: Annie Adams & Yael Tuckman.

Record: 2-0-0

Next: Saturday September 21, 2024 Vassar College Women at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY (kick-off time to be announced).