West Point, NY - The Anderson Rugby Complex at West Point is an impressive facility nestled down by the train tracks right on the edge of the Hudson River. A Friday night game under floodlights with dark storm clouds overhead made for quite the atmosphere. The Rugby teams at West Point are Varsity sports and so Vassar was pitted against the Army Development XV i.e. their Junior Varsity fifteen. In the two previous meetings with the JV, back in 2017 and 2018, Vassar earned impressive wins 69-26 and 29-22 respectively. But with 5 changes from the Vassar lineup of last week with both centers injured and both props getting their first full A-side game starts, there was some apprehension.

Vassar College Women 24 v 19 Army JV Women
Tries: Emma Niehaus (1), Ellie Carr (1), Leah Dourmashkin (1), Rosie Perkinson (1), 
Cons: Nadya LaMarr (2).

Vassar kicked off and Army recycled the ball just outside their own 22. But at the next ruck Vassar drove over and won possession. The Brewers then went through 9 phases with 9 different ball carriers and both halfbacks touched the ball, so 11 of the 14 had gotten into the attack in the first 3 minutes of the match! 

Army managed a turnover and then they went through 5 phases before Vassar regained possession. But the Vassar attack stalled when the ball was knocked on and Army responded with real urgency on the turnover. The Black Knights ripped forward and although Vassar scrambled and did thwart the attack, another turnover led to an Army try when their scrumhalf darted over from close range.

Brimming with confidence after that first score the cadets again carried the ball well and spun it wide finding some room on the flank. The speedy outside backs were not met with committed tacklers and the Army broke through on the left at about the 14 minute mark 14-0. Both their tries were a result of missed tackles and could've been prevented.

A significant response from Vassar was needed and to their credit the team counter rucked to get possession and then went through multiple phases in the Army 22 with co-captain Emma Niehaus eventually going over for their first try of the night. A really well struck conversion from the right touchline by Nadya LaMarr made it 14-7 and the Brewers were back in the match.

After the Vassar game the Army Varsity A-side was scheduled to play the Royal Military College of Canada and it was senior night for the cadets so there was quite a crowd on hand.The decibels increased quite a bit when Army scored a good try from a lineout on the halfway line. The ball was passed wide with a couple of good decoy runners up the middle and 4 passes later the score was 19-7 to the home team.

Matters got worse for Vassar just minutes later when flyhalf Sabine Weil was yellow carded for a high tackle as she sprinted across to catch the Army left wing. But Vassar did not concede any points over the next 10 minutes with some desperate scrambling defense. Army went over the line and Makaela Weldon held the ball up and a fortunate quick whistle meant that no try was awarded. 

When Sabine Weil came back Vassar changed their tactics and it was to pay real dividends. In that last 5 minutes of the first half Vassar scored 2 tries with the forwards marching upfield and exploiting gaps in the Army defense. Number 8 Ellie Carr and scrumhalf Leah Dourmashkin went over and with one conversion the match was all tied up at 19-19.

The second half began with Vassar continuing to keep the ball and gain territory. But the heavy rain forecasted began to fall and then there was a delay in play on account of lightning being within 8 miles. A long delay eventually came to a close and the teams took the field again and both sides continued to look for that go ahead try. Army would try to push the ball wide and Vassar was content to keep matters tight.

Field position was important in the difficult weather and Vassar eventually got close before shifting the ball to fullback Rosie Perkinson for what would prove the winning try. Perkinson had a very good night showing real composure fielding kicks, making open field tackles and running with intent.

The Vassar pack also blossomed in the second half and on a couple of occasions completely demolished the Army scrum. The apprehension of the team at the start of the game was now dispelled and some valuable lessons learned.

It had been a good contest with a number of the Army players showing great open field running skills and given that many were rookies, the future for the academy's rugby team is very bright.

The Vassar Women must buckle up over the next 3 weeks to improve their execution. It is clear the potential is there with organization. Hopefully, some of the injured will be back to compete for their opportunity.

This night will long be remembered for a host of reasons including a long rain delay, the support from Vassar alums - Charlie Williams, Gary Heavener, Sophia Bailey and her parents BJ and Sonya, the game being streamed live, the wonderful venue and the sight of AC Smith sprinting off the field as time expired.

Team: 15 Rosie Perkinson 14 Nadya LaMarr 13 Sadya Krell 12 Makaela Weldon 11 Chloe Ellis 10 Sabine Weil 9 Leah Dourmashkin 1 Gabby Gitau 2 Emma Niehaus 3 Dea Edwards 4 AC Smith 5 Annika Szturma 6 Ava Rowland 7 Eleanor Jacoby 8 Ellie Carr. 
Subs: Sydney Oren, Hazel Curran, Lila Gallivan, O. Arteaga-Johnson, Lydia Hong, Emi Mitchell, Dora Chen, Meg Carpenter.

Record: 5-0-0.

Next: Sunday October 18, 2026 Vassar College Women v SUNY-New Paltz Women at the Vassar Preserve & Farm kick-off 11:00 am