Poughkeepsie, NY - Last weekend the Fairfield University Women shutout the Columbia University Women 22-0 on the road in New York City and Vassar was expecting a tough battle in this match, the first of 2 conference games and a possible third game in the playoffs later in the fall. Fairfield ran hard when in possession and put in some big tackles, battling for the full 80 minutes, but under grey skies the Brewers ran in seven tries to take the conference win.

Vassar College Women 37 v 7 Fairfield University Women
Tries: Zoe Lynch (2), Sophia Bailey (4), Jude Robinson (1). 
Cons: Zoe Lynch (1).

Much like their game against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute last weekend Vassar started by keeping matters close to the pack. There had been some rain earlier in the day and the surface was greasy making the ball slippery. Vassar received the opening kick-off and marched down into the Fairfield 22. For a moment it looked as if the attack had stalled but a penalty was awarded and a number of phases later co-captain Zoe Lynch dived over for the opening try. She converted the try and Vassar led 7-0 after four minutes.

There was a real effort to be better than last week against RPI and it showed in the lines the players were running and the attention to the small details. Of course it was not perfect but the effort was there for all to see and the discipline to stay on script was much better.

It was Parent's Weekend and there was a sizable crowd on hand that added to the atmosphere of this conference game. The Vassar players did not want to disappoint their family and friends and every player bought into the work ethic of the team. In the forwards Julia Wolff and Mette McKinney constantly did well with the former clearing out rucks and the latter running good lines as well as winning lineouts. Vassar is developing a more mobile pack with every player expected to be a good ball carrier. But those players don't get to carry unless the ball is won in the first place so each has to ruck well.

At scrumhalf, Sophia Bailey is finding the form shown in her first year of play and she collected four tries today using her vision and pace. When the Fairfield defense became too narrow she exploited the space outside. This may not always be effective against a better defense but the diminutive number 9 showed outstanding technique and bravery picking around the fringes and running straight mixing it up with the forwards. Vassar's second, third, fourth and fifth tries were scored by Bailey who thrived with the Vassar forwards laying the platform.

At fullback Jude Robinson had a couple of bizarre moments dealing with the high ball but to their credit it is hard to think of a better defensive tackling fullback. They also ruck with power and good technique.

In the centers the pairing of Sumrow and Maniatis had a banner 60 minutes. Consistently tackles were made and passes were caught generally getting Vassar over the gain line. When they were both substituted Maggie Nealis and Makaela Weldon came on and the team didn't skip a beat. Then in the B-side game, first year student Rosie Perkinson put up her hand with a very slick performance as she sliced between defenders and held tackles. This can only be good for the program as these players can compete and support each other as the team strives to improve.

One would be remiss to not mention the other forwards as Emma Niehaus, Eleanor Jacoby, Sam Tang and Kiki Takata consistently rucked and carried well. Defensively too there was a commitment to put the opposition down. One has to think that the practice session where the forwards are against everyone is beneficial.

But just to bring everyone down to earth, today, RPI Women defeated Columbia University Women 47-22, so we can expect a battle royal next Sunday at the Farm.

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 Kiki Takata 7 Mette McKiney 8 Tate Wagner.
Subs: Maggie Nealis for Ella Maniatis, Makeala Weldon for Maddie Sumrow, Nadya LaMarr for Kiki Takata, Maritza Flores, AC Smith, Nina Fishman, Ina Zaslavsky, Foster Schrader.

Record: 4-0-0.
Conference: 2-0-0.

Next: Sunday October 6, 2024 - Vassar College Women v Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at the Vassar Farm in Poughkeepsie, NY kick-off 1:00 pm.

Vassar College Women B XV 26 v 0 Fairfield University Women B XV
Tries: AC Smith (2), Maggie Nealis (2). 
Cons: Sarah Towne (3).

An emphatic statement was made by the Vassar B-side as they controlled matters from start to finish in an absorbing contest against Fairfield's B-side. If truth be told the Vassar players have had a few more sessions to prepare but that should not diminish the quality of their outing.

The team went through multiple phases and when on defense there were some excellent tackles. Fairfield barely got out of their half in the first period. AC Smith made some A-side quality open field tackles as did Foster Schrader playing at fullback. Sarah Towne ran strongly and the pack was led by Nina Fishman. Maritza Flores was having a stormer of a game before having to go off injured but hopefully she will be back soon. The same goes for Maisy Richardson who was playing her second game at scrumhalf and tweaked her knee.

It was such fun to watch the team put together phases of play and look comfortable doing so. Chloe Ellis at 10 alongside Rosie Perkinson at 12 are probably the smallest players on the planet but they certainly play big.

Smith scored from a short range penalty and then dived over later to score try number two for her and three for the team. Maggie Nealis showed some good pace to collect a couple of tries and Sarah Towne connected on the conversions.

The next few weeks are huge for this group as they will want to keep improving and take on more lessons. But for now they can walk proud and take a bow.

Team: 15 Foster Schrader 14 Lydia Hong 13 Maggie Nealis 12 Rosie Perkinson 11 Makaela Weldon 10 Chloe Ellis 9 Maisy Richardson 1 AC Smith 2 Maritza Flores 3 Nina Fishman 4 Ina Zaslavsky 5 Caedwyn Bardsley Cutler 6 Ellie Carr 7 Gus Pointer Mace 8 Sarah Towne.
Subs: Freya Braiker for Maisy Richardson, Gabriella Gitau for Maritza Flores, Rylan Liu for Ina Zaslavsky.
Injured: Yasmeen Kassem Scott, Zoey Ojalvo & Becca Middlen.
Unavailable: Sophie Moreau, Clara Mikos, Zoe Blankespoor, Claire Blisard, Alexandra Karasik, Sadye Krell, Danny White, Jaleea Medeiros, Cher Mei & Alessandra Salve.
JYA: Annie Adams & Yael Tuckman.