Poughkeepsie, NY -  Fordham University Women's Rugby made the step up from Division III to Division II this Fall with the knowledge that the learning curve would be steep. Part of the reasoning was that the team wanted to get every player game experience each weekend and only the division II teams had large enough rosters. Fordham knew that wins would be difficult to come by but facing a very experienced Vassar team was the harshest of reality checks. Vassar scored 19 tries and kicked 12 conversions in a totally dominant performance.

Vassar College Women 119 v 5 Fordham University Women
Tries: AC Smith (1), Tate Wagner (1), Jude Robinson (3), Matty Sumrow (2), Yasmeen Kassem-Scott (2), Rosie Perkinson (1), Kiki Takata (1), Sabine Weil (3), Leah Dourmashkin (1) Ava Rowland (2), Nadya LaMarr (1) & Sarah Towne (1).
Cons: Emma Niehaus (1) & Nadya LaMarr (11).

In the first 25 minutes the ferocity of the Fordham defense was actually impressive as regular big tackles were made and although Vassar won the collisions the visitors were brave and determined. 

Vassar monopolized the ball and kept mistakes to a minimum and although slowed down by Fordham, the pressure was relentless. The tries came with alarming regularity and Vassar's ability to spread the ball wide saw the backs run amok. Fullback Robinson had three, Rosie Perkinson one, Matty Sumrow two, Sabine Weil three and Leah Dourmashkin one.

It must have been dispiriting to constantly be on defense and conceding points but the Rams battled and tackled despite wave after attacking wave.

The game was done and dusted by halftime and Vassar rang the changes but the second 40 was just as suffocating. Rookie Ava Rowland collected a brace, Sarah Towne, Nadya LaMarr and Kiki Takata all crossed for tries as the new scoreboard was taxed to the maximum! It was good to see Chloe Ellis get significant time at flyhalf behind a dominant pack and she was able to launch the backs.

Team: 15 Jude Robinson 14 Rosie Perkinson 13 Makaela Weldon 12 Matty Sumrow 11 Leah Dourmashkin 10 Sabine Weil 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Cae Bardsley-Cutler 2 Emma Niehaus 3 AC Smith 4 Julia Wolff 5 Sarah Towne 6 Mette McKinney 7 Tate Wagner 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott. 
Subs: Nadya LaMarr for Sophia Bailey, Gabby Gitau for Emma Niehaus, Kiki Takata for Julia Wolff, Maisy Richardson for Jude Robinson, Chloe Ellis for Yasmeen Kassem-Scott, Elle Carr for Rosie Perkinson, Gus Pointer Mace for AC Smith, Rahmat Gambari for Matty Sumrow, Ava Rowland for Makaela Weldon & Grace Rich for Cae Bardsley Cutler.

2025-26 Record: 3-0-0.

Next: Sunday September 28th, 2025 Vassar College Women at  Marist University Women KO: 12:00 pm