Poughkeepsie, NY - It's been a big week for the Vassar scrumhalf Sophia Bailey. It was her birthday last Tuesday and then this afternoon at Vassar Farm the live wire scrumhalf scored 3 times to take her tally to 100 tries in her collegiate career. That is quite an achievement, in fact, it's a new Vassar record and it takes Bailey to the top of the table bettering the 99 tries scored by former scrumhalf and Hall of Famer Margaret Kwateng '14.

Vassar College Women 58 v 5 Fairfield University Women
Tries: Yasmeen Kassem-Scott (2), Sophia Bailey (3),  Matty Sumrow (2), Kiki Takata (1), Leah Dourmashkin (1) & Ella Maniatis (1).
Cons: Emma Niehaus (4).

The start by Vassar was not particularly encouraging as the kickoff was spilled and an early line break by Fairfield almost led to a try for the visitors. But the Brewers did look comfortable with the ball in attack and as long as the possession was recycled good yards were made. It was a very limited approach but as the saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it. 

Vassar Number 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott scored from close range and then halfback Sophia Bailey went over and after 21 minutes it was 12-0. Try number 3 was Kassem-Scott's second and with the game half an hour long 17-0 seemed a fair differential between the teams.

Fairfield were not given time on the ball except when they managed to turn it over at the breakdown. But the Vassar defense did react well enough and it held the visitors scoreless until the very last seconds of the match. Fairfield had some success poaching the ball and Vassar could've done a better job with their support and ball placement but it was not too often and sometimes a good counter ruck meant possession was regained.

Fairfield was able to clear their lines at times with some long kicks but Rosie Perkinson in at fullback was dangerous on the counter attack and overall had a good match. 

Two more tries before the half gave Vassar a commanding 27-0 lead as Matty Sumrow got their first and Bailey her second.

After the break Vassar was without Number 8 Kassem-Scott and flanker Lydia Hong as both sustained injuries. The former may have a broken nose and the latter took a knock and did not return. But the Brewers maintained their momentum as replacement Kiki Takata sliced through and then Sumrow burst between 2 would-be tacklers. The next score was top drawer as Leah Dourmashkin was put away by Perkinson and Fairfield was struggling to deal with the pace of the game. At 46-0 and with 18 minutes left in the game Fairfield dug in and battled despite the scoreline. In that final period of time Vassar scored 2 more tries and Fairfield one.

Vassar will look at the video and see that defensively there need to be improvements both individually and collectively.

Perhaps it was fitting that the last try was the one that set the new Vassar record. But Bailey would be the first to make it known that this was a team effort and without the forwards rucking well and the backs getting over the gainline consistently and every player putting in tackles there would be no record.

Team: 15 Rosie Perkinson 14 Matty Sumrow 13 Ella Maniatis 12 Makaela Weldon 11 Leah Dourmashkin 10 Sabine Weil 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Cae Bardsley-Cutler 2 Emma Niehaus 3 Julia Wolff 4 Tate Wagner 5 Sarah Towne 6 Mette McKinney 7 Lydia Hong 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott.
Subs: Maisy Richardson for Lydia Hong & Kik Takata for Yasmeen Kassem-Scott.

2025-26 Record: 6-0-0.

Next: Saturday October 18th, 2025 Vassar College Women versus University of Vermont Women at Vassar College Farm KO: 1:00 pm

Vassar College Women B 14 v 0 Fairfield University Women B
Tries: Gus Pointer Mace (1) & Rahmat Gambari (1).
Cons: Nadya LaMarr (2).

In a shortened match the Vassar B-side got straight into gear and completely dominated play with good rucking and ball retention. But credit is due Fairfield for their staunch defense and when Vassar did make line breaks the Fairfield fullback took them down. The Fairfield pack was inexperienced and none more so than the Number 8 but they all battled hard.

But there was no stopping Gus Pointer Mace as the Vassar hooker broke through a number of times and opened the Vassar account. Nadya LaMarr slotted the conversion and it was 7-0. In fact, the Vassar forwards truly looked like a well drilled unit and won good ruck ball and dominated the scrums. Vassar lock Sylvie Lipskar took a couple of big hits from Fairfield defenders but epitomised the pack's attitude and remained composed, placing the ball for her team.

Vassar's fullback Rahmat Gambari deservedly scored after a good pass and run and again LaMarr converted. Fairfield showed good pace on the wings but the Vassar defense held. 

Team: 15 Rahmat Gambari 14 Dora Chen 13 Sadya Krell 12 Nadya LaMarr 11 Ava Rowland 10 Chloe Ellis 1 Gabby Gitau 2 Gus Pointer Mace 3 Dea Edwards 4 Ina Zaslavsky 5 Sylvie Lipskar 6 O Arteaga-Johnson 7 Jo Ellis 8 Ellie Carr.