Photo courtesy Winona State Women’s Rugby
Winona State and Vassar College delivered the type of match that lingers on the memory. The USA Rugby DII College Fall Championship saw lead changes and momentum shifts, breakout performances, and team rallies. Winona State defeated Vassar 38-36 for the fall championship, its first title since 2013 and three subsequent runner-up finishes.
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The first half was all about Vassar and its commitment to a diligent forwards game. The New York team’s execution of tight pick-and-goes, mixed in with intermittent phases to the backs – who often cut back inside until in scoring position – saw Winona State play a lot of defense. The Black Katts had to sort out how to slow down these forward drives and also locate its opposition’s weaknesses on defense before enjoying some freedom on offense.
Meanwhile, Vassar got to work on the scoreboard. Minutes into the game, flanker Oshana Reich turned over possession in Winona’s end, and then shortly afterward was held up in a dive-over attempt. A penalty, however, allowed the flanker a second chance, and she dotted down.
Winona struggled with handling in the first 20 minutes, and lineouts were also troublesome. The counter-rucking, however, was good, and Vassar got into some penalty trouble as the first quarter neared its end. Winona inside center Emily Becker – our pick for fall championship MVP – finished off a sustained drive with the quick-tap try and conversion, 7-5.
Vassar was back in front minutes later, as the forwards went to work. No. 8 Amanda Saich was the leader all day. Not only did she consistently make ground in dense traffic but she was also the best lineout thrower in the tournament. Former USA Women’s 15s coach Pete Steinberg and Katie Wurst, who were on the mic, noted a player with national team potential. She was the mark of consistency.
Once Vassar was near Winona’s 22 meter, the ball moved wide, the centers dummied back inside, and fullback Michelle Urrutia inserted on an angle for good ground. Flanker Sarah Mawhinney was on her heels for the dive-over try. Flyhalf Makena Emery converted.
Becker was yellow carded for a high tackle, and the back line attack took advantage. Urrutia inserted once again, and this time the fullback crossed for five.
Vassar’s next two scores began with lineouts. In the first, the Brewers stole a Winona throw-in, and the forwards worked to the line. Wing Abigail Alexander was pulled down at the line, and scrumhalf Jennie To was there for the quick pick and try. Vassar took a 29-7 lead when a solid, long throw-in from Saich saw the No. 8 loop around the back, as Winona anticipated a driving maul to the try line. Saich took the pass from the back of the maul and scored easily.
And then, Winona answered. The subsequent 15 minutes saw four tries and Winona take a 35-29 lead. Defensively, Winona was able to break up some of Vassar’s long phases, and captain Ellyn Grossen and Gabriella Calametti were shining examples of launching into ballcarriers and driving them into the ruck. Vassar coughed up a couple of penalties as well.
Offensively, Winona stopped relying on the pick-and-go as much and started to move the ball away from the tackle area. Dynamic players like No. 8 Lindsay Rutz, hooker An Tran and flanker Diana Tapia could move in space and connect with the eager backs.
Rutz exposed a weakness in open-field tackling, taking the ball on the run and pushing past multiple defenders just short of the try line. Grossen was quick on support and dove over. Becker added the extras. Before the third quarter began, the ball made it out wide to wing Tiffany Raasch, who displayed great speed down the sideline for a corner try, which Becker converted brilliantly.
Vassar then lost an important player, Kayla Lightner, to injury. The outside center was absolutely crucial on defense, and her slicing runs back inside kept the Winona defense honest. Winona immediately tested how her absence would affect play. Flyhalf Abigail Andler dummied past her opposite and got the one-handed offload to Becker running on at full pace for the try, which Becker converted.
With the game now at 29-28 to Vassar, the Brewers forewent contesting the ruck, opting instead to reset on defense and get a good launch. Winona did not err or commit penalties, and marched down field until Becker could score from close range and convert, 35-29.
Vassar still had some rally in it and the forwards – who played two massively physical games in two days – could still consolidate the ball and work down field. Alexander got across the try line out wide, but a brilliant tackle from Becker prevented the grounding. While teammates congratulated Becker on the effort, the referee was busy calling back play to the other side of the pitch for a penalty. Vassar regrouped quickly, and although To’s quick tap attempt was stifled, Reich’s second effort was not. Emery’s conversion put Vassar in front 36-35.
During the final 10 minutes of play, Andler held an upright ballcarrier, and Vassar was penalized for bringing down the maul. A not-10 penalty followed, in front of the posts and in Becker’s range. The freshman kicked the go-ahead points calmly, 38-36.
Vassar had its chances before full time – most notably another five-meter lineout with Saich looping around the back. The defense was ready for it this time. Vassar kept attacking, but the drives at the line were stifled and key passes out wide hit the ground. Finally, Winona got possession, kicked to relieve pressure, and the game eventually ended (it was recalled after the referee blew the final whistle) in favor of Winona.
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