Kings Point, NY - This was a tough loss to swallow as Vassar came back from 31-12 down and a converted try would have tied the game! The Brewers failed to make a number of tackles in the first half and the hole dug was just too deep. USMMA advances to the National Collegiate Rugby postseason and the Brewers are left to rue what might have been.

Vassar College Men 24 v 31 USMMA, Kings Point Men
Tries: TJ Usher (1), Phil Knowlton (1), Penalty Try (1), Samia Jaman (1).
Cons: Mark Gislason (1) & Penalty Try (1).

Vassar traveled to Kings Point, NY as clear underdogs in the Conference Championship game against the midshipmen of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The game was played on the football field and although the weather was dry at the outset, as the game wore on there was steady rain falling.

Vassar began well enough but a breakaway that went almost the full length of the field saw the Brewers trail 7-0. The response was good and after a period of pressure inside the midshipmen's 22 scrumhalf TJ Usher dived over and it was 
7-5.

Vassar was able to get into the opposition half when they stuck to their script and in fact the Academy players were prone to penalties. Twice Vassar went over and looked to have scored but no try was given on both occasions. First, Usher took a quick tap penalty and went over then Phil Knowlton placed the ball for a score but a scrum was awarded. USMMA scored by running hard and straight with Vassar defenders being brushed aside. The midshipmen went up 12-5 but Vassar's Knowlton scored to tie the game up when he alertly tapped and dived over and Mark Gislason converted. At 12-12 it was clear that if Vassar defended resolutely they'd be in the hunt for a victory.

However, a really bad spell saw the home team score 3 tries and they established a 31-12 lead. Any confidence and belief that had been built was quickly eroded. When the team's changed ends at halftime the Brewers were able to regroup. The team was reminded that they had scored twice, gotten over the line another two times and that what they had done was working. The second half needed a much better defensive effort and as is always said, tackling is not optional. Better to have two and three players tackling a ball carrier than watch as one teammate is beaten!

After 15 minutes in the second half it was still 31-12. Vassar lost Max Czekaj to injury and then USMMA also had a player taken off the field.

Play eventually resumed and it was predominantly Vassar that was threatening to score. Time and time again USMMA was being penalized and they constantly failed to retreat at penalties, opting to tackle TJ Usher who was quick to attack. Finally the referee had no choice but to award a penalty try and it was game on. 31-19 made it a 2 score game!

The wet ball made passing very difficult and on a couple of occasions promising attacks stalled as the possession was juggled or dropped. But Vassar continued to press and the work of Eli Schair-Rigoletti at 12 was exceptional as he constantly broke the gain line. The Vassar pack was also driving the midshipmen back at a rate of knots! But time was not on Vassar's side and when composure and purpose were required there were a few rushed options taken. Eventually Vassar flanker Samia Jaman nipped around the front of a lineout to score and it was 31-24. 

Five minutes remained and Vassar had a number of possessions but was unable to tie the game up and force overtime. The team was drenched, tired and disappointed when the whistle finally was blown.

This is a young Vassar team and the hope is that it sticks together and grows, so that games like this close loss become Vassar victories.

Team: 15 Kiran Mullen 14 McCarthy Barber 13 Marius Kruse 12 Eli Schair-Rigoletti 11 Caleb Joyce 10 Mark Gislason 9 TJ Usher 1 Sawyer Bivins 2 Phil Knowlton 3 Ben Kaplan 4 Max Czekaj 5 Gene Waddy 6 Ken Kaybeya 7 Samia Jaman 8 Kaiden Tocher. Subs: Caleb DiBartolo for Max Czekaj, Tony Mwangi for Caleb Joyce, Rheese Fine for Marius Kruse.

Record: 6-5-0

Next: Spring Season 2026