Vassar College Women 60 v 5 University of Vermont Women
Tries: Nadya LaMarr (1), Sophia Bailey (2), Jude Robinson (2), Maisy Richardson (1), Becca Middlen (1), Yasmeen Kassem-Scott (2) & Rosie Perkinson (1).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (2) & Nadya LaMarr (3).

The Brewers were without a number of regular starters and the back line in particular had to be replenished. Starters, at wing Leah Dourmashkin, in the centers Makaela Weldon and Ella Maniatis, as well as Maddie Sumrow studying abroad, were all unavailable. In the forwards only Mette McKinney was missing and the Brewers began where they had left off in Portsmouth, RI.

Quick ball was won at the breakdown and after the pack had tied in the defense the first time Vassar's Nadya LaMarr got the ball in the UVM 22 she bumped a tackler off and scored. It was the perfect start for the visitors. Moments later, Sophia Bailey scored her 40th try of the season when, alert as ever, she took a quick tap penalty and took off for the line.

Vassar was able to dominate the breakdown and the constant flow of possession kept the UVM defenders under pressure. There were regular and frequent solid tackles but Vassar stayed composed and won the ruck before launching another runner. Fullback Jude Robinson found the whitewash next with a powerful run from the back and scrumhalf Maisy Richardson went through as well to touch down, so when Zoe Lynch converted that score it was 22-0.

Vassar hooker Emma Niehaus broke through picking from a ruck and was well supported as Yasmeen Kassem-Scott continued the attack, sprinting through, twisting and turning for the score. Lynch converted again to make it 29-0 as halftime was approaching. But the highlight of the half was the next try which saw Becca Middlen crash over. It has been a full year since Middlen has played as she sustained an injury at the Beast of the East 2024.. After 40 minutes Vassar led 36-0.

Vassar rang the changes in the second half and a good number of less experienced players got significant playing time. It has always been the case that a core of experienced players stay in the lineup to preserve the shape of the game and that meant moving senior co-captain Zoe Lynch into the forwards to play at lock. The senior has played every position on the field in an A-side game of 15s or 7s - no mean feat.

A host of first year students played well with Maisy Richardson at 9, Chloe Ellis at 10 well complimented by Rosie Perkinson at center and Sarah Towne at center and Number 8. Lydia Hong had good length and pace on her pass while Sadya Krell didn't put a foot wrong, made her tackles and rucked strongly. Rahmat Gambari is fast becoming a steadying influence at fullback and in the front row Cae Bardsley Cutler looked solid.

AC Smith is a fearless tackler and tattooed a couple of UVM ball carriers.

The tries kept coming in that second 40 minutes as Vassar racked up another 4.

The final game of the 2024-25 season will see the Brewers travel to Brooklyn to take on a women's second division club team. It will probably be the most physical challenge of the year and a good week of preparation is on the menu so the Brewers can close out the year. 

Team: 15 Jude Robinson 14 Zoe Lynch 13 Sarah Towne 12 Nadya LaMarr 11 Danny White 10 Sabine Weil 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Andie Authers 2 Emma Niehaus 3 Eleanor Jacoby 4 Julia Wolff 5 Sam Tang  6 Tate Wagner 7 Ellie Carr 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott.
Subs: Rahmat Gambari for Jude Robinson, Maisy Richardson for Sophia Bailey, Chloe Ellis for Sabine Weil, Lydia Hong for Maisy Richardson, Becca Middlen for Emma Niehaus, AC Smith for Andie Authers, Cae Bardsley Cutler for Eleanor Jacoby, Sadye Krell for Danny White, Grace Rich for AC Smith & Rosie Perkinson for Yameen Kassem-Scott.

Overall record: 20-0-0