Photo courtesy Vassar College Athletics
Vassar College won the USA Rugby DII College Fall 15s Championship in December 2018 and finished out its year with the Tri-State Conference 7s Championship last weekend. The Brewers have qualified for the USA Rugby DII College 7s National Championship, but the tournament date conflicts with graduation and the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., will forgo the trip to Arizona.
The following includes excerpts from the full press release, will feature here. Full results at end of article.
It was a monumental effort as 17 Vassar Women populated 2 teams on account of a late withdrawal by Drew University. In addition 2 players had to leave part way through the day on account of work commitments and Maddie Crump had a broken nose! Yet both Vassar teams qualified for the quarterfinal stage. One is running out of superlatives for the 2018-19 Vassar Women’s Rugby squad!
GAME SUMMARIES
VASSAR 41-0 FORDHAM
Tries: Emily Howell (2), Jennie To (3), Oshana Reich (1), Julia Busby (1).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (3).
In years past Fordham University Women was a force in the Metropolitan New York Conference and there were some real ding-dong battles between the Brewers and the Rams. But in recent years Fordham has struggled for numbers and is in a rebuilding period. Not that Vassar cared a jot for their visitors plight as they swiftly took control of this game playing at a pace that was too much for the Rams. Jennie To had a field day collecting a hattrick of scores and this result was never in doubt.
Team: 1 Kaitlin Prado 2 Emily Howell 3 Oshana Reich 9 Jennie To 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 12 Caroline James 11 Molly Lynch Subs: Julia Busby for Molly Lynch, Miranda Scarlata for Oshana Reich, Sophia Blush for Caroline James.
VASSAR A 53-0 SIENA
Tries: Emily Howell (3), Caroline James (2), Oshana Reich (2), Aislinn Vences-Dimas (1), Molly Lynch (1).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (4).
The first 3 tries of this match were scored by freshman Emily Howell who looked equally comfortable out in the wide channels or in close quarters. Siena was not allowed any time on the ball as the Vassar defense swarmed relentlessly and a host of turnovers were shifted to the fleet of foot. Two wins in the group play would see Vassar advance for sure.
Team: 1 Kate Sworden 2 Emily Howell 3 Oshana Reich 9 Jennie To 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 12 Caroline James 11 Molly Lynch Subs: Sophia Blush for Molly Lynch, Julia Busby for Caroline James, Molly Lynch for Emily Howell.
VASSAR A 41-5 SUNY NEW PALTZ
Tries: Oshana Reich (3), Molly Lynch (3), Emily Howell (1).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (3).
The Vassar A-side 7 was really starting to gel and although there were momentary lapses the off-loading game was being employed judiciously. Kudos to Gill Bourke for her influence in just one week of coaching. Oshana Reich did have some interesting long passes that sailed high but fortunately they were caught and in a couple of instances resulted in tries. Molly Lynch scored a hattrick and unsung hero Aislinn Vences-Dimas had a good game distributing.
Team: 1 Oshana Reich 2 Emily Howell 3 Kate Sworden 9 Jennie To 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 12 Caroline James 11 Molly Lynch Subs: Kaitlin Prado for Kate Sworden, Sophia Blush for Caroline James.
QUARTERFINAL
VASSAR A 27-0 MARIST
Tries: Emily Howell (3), Oshana Reich (2).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (1).
Ordinarily Marist would be a very tough game. The Red Foxes are the defending 7s conference champions but a number of injuries to key speedsters hindered their progress. Add to that mix a very focused and confident Vassar team and this game was one the Brewers were expected to win. That they did so in style was testimony to a high level of concentration and some formidable tackling. Freshman Howell got her second hattrick of the day and Reich looked as dangerous as ever with the ball in hand.
Team: 1 Kate Sworden 2 Emily Howell 3 Oshana Reich 9 Jennie To 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 12 Caroline James 11 Molly Lynch Subs: Sophia Blush for Molly Lynch, Rebekah Graham for Caroline James.
SEMIFINAL
VASSAR A 12-10 MONTCLAIR STATE
Tries: Emily Howell (2).
Cons: Aislinn Vences-Dimas (1).
This was so nearly the banana peel game! Vassar was seriously challenged by the overall speed of the MSU 7 so the key was to keep the ball for as long as possible.
The Brewers did score two good tries but then allowed MSU back into the contest for what proved to be a close finish. The difference was Aislinn Vences-Dimas’ conversion kick and it was on to the final.
Team: 1 Kate Sworden 2 Emily Howell 3 Oshana Reich 9 Jennie To 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 12 Caroline James 11 Molly Lynch.
FINAL
VASSAR 30-0 STONY BROOK
Tries: Emily Howell (2), Jennie To (1), Kate Sworden (1), Molly Lynch (1), Oshana Reich (1).
Both teams took to the field and after playing 5 games in the wet heavy conditions and looked tired. But the Brewers could see the light at the end of the tunnel and immediately set the pace. Jennie To zipped around the field and her teammates followed suit with that freshman Howell opening the Vassar account. The discipline and focus was there for all to see as Vassar strung together some solid periods of play. Caroline James was exceptional, as she had been all day, with outstanding decision-making in contact. She is a powerful runner and fearless competitor. A 6-try victory in game 6 to win the 7s title was a wonderful way to end the year.
The Brewers have earned the right to compete in the National 7s Championship but unfortunately the event is scheduled over Memorial Day weekend… Vassar’s graduation is that Sunday!
Team: 1 Kate Sworden 2 Emily Howell 3 Oshana Reich 9 Jennie To 10 Aislinn Vences-Dimas 12 Caroline James 11 Molly Lynch.
TRI-STATE 7s CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
POOL PLAY
Montclair 25-0 Bard
Montclair 10-0
Montclair 15-0 Marist
Marist 30-0 Bard
Marist 10-5 RPI
RPI 15-0 Bard
Vassar 39-5 New Paltz
Vassar 43-0 Siena B
Vassar 41-0 Fordham
New Paltz 10-5 Fordham
New Paltz 32-0 Siena B
Fordham 30-0 Siena B
Fairfield 10-10 Hofstra
Fairfield 22-5 Vassar B
Fairfield 24-0 Albany
Vassar B 12-10 Albany
Vassar B 15-5 Hofstra
Albany 15-14 Hofstra
Stony Brook 49-0 Manhattanville
Stony Brook 27-5 Marist B
Stony Brook 17-0 Siena
Siena 25-5 Marist B
Siena 32-7 Manhattanville
Marist B 17-5 Manhattanville
QUARTERFINALS
Montclair 27-5 New Paltz
Vassar 27-0 Marist
Siena 15-12 Fairfield
Stony Brook 27-5 Vassar B
SEMIFINALS
Vassar 12-10 Montclair
Stony Brook 20-5 Siena
CHAMPIONSHIP
Vassar 30-0 Stony Brook