Press Release (By Tony Brown) – The Vassar College Women opened their 2025-26 campaign with a friendly victory against Yale University. The Brewers compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Tri-State conference, while the Bulldogs do business in Division III of the North Atlantic Rugby Conference.
The Brewers elected to leave out starters Sophia Bailey, Jude Robinson and Sabine Weil along with others so as to develop some depth. The halfbacks, Maisy Richardson and Chloe Ellis, shone bright and ran the show with aplomb.
Vassar College 29-15 Yale University
Tries: Maisy Richardson (1), AC Smith (1), Rosie Perkinson (1), Chloe Bilger (1) & Gus Pointer Mace (1).
Cons: Nadya Lamarr (2).
It only took a minute or so for Vassar to take the lead in this match with Number 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott picking up from a scrum and linking with scrumhalf Maisy Richardson to burst over. It was just the start the Brewers wanted and the team quickly got into its stride.
Chloe Ellis at 10 is a cool customer and she never seems to get flustered. The diminutive flyhalf has a lovely pass and she got the back division moving very smoothly. The ball was quite greasy and slippery but the Vassar players did a good job of holding on to the passes and consistently got over the gainline.
The smattering of starters, just 6 in the lineup, provided good shape but credit is certainly due the other 9 players for seamlessly fitting into the team patterns.
Vassar was without their first and second choice fullback yet Rosie Perkinson was outstanding in that position. An elusive runner she also showed great bravery making a couple of last ditch tackles to thwart Yale ball carriers.
Vassar’s second try came when AC Smith scored from close range and her mobility around the field will be a huge asset this year. Vassar led 10-0 and then was given a gift when the Yale flyhalf kicked to clear from their 22. The ball was caught by Vassar’s Rosie Perkinson and the fullback ran around the defense to put Vassar up 17-0 after Nadya LaMarr slotted the conversion.
Then, right before the half, rookie lock Chloe Bilger picked up a ball at the goal line and despite teammates shouting instructions the novice just placed the ball for a score! A try on debut for the youngster. LaMarr was again successful with the conversion and after 40 minutes it was 24-0.
Vassar rang the changes at the half with almost a full B-side lineup on the field and although the second half was just 1 try for the Brewers and 3 for the home team the result was never in doubt.
Vassar center Sadye Krell made what may be the tackle of the week! It exemplified the Brewers resolve when she took a great angle to scythe down a Yale ball carrier who had broken through.
Vassar had a number of first time players and everyone acquitted themselves quite well. Tackles were made and the attack looked competent but the Yale team constantly battled back. The score of 24-0 became 24-5, then 24-10 at which point Vassar’s try was scored by forward Gus Pointer Mace who, along with others, had a good match and it was 29-10. The hosts had the last say and it finished 29-15.
There were plenty of positives from this match but there is also much work to be done. Two of the Yale scores came from Vassar set piece plays at a scrum when rather than making huge inroads the Brewers butchered matters and turned the ball over!
Game one is now in the bank and the squad must build over each following week to improve.
Team: 15 Rosie Perkinson, 14 Nadya LaMarr, 13 Ella Maniatis, 12 Makaela Weldon, 11 Leah Dourmashkin, 10 Chloe Ellis, 9 Maisy Richardson, 1 Cae Bardsley-Cutler, 2 Emma Niehaus, 3 AC Smith, 4 Julia Wolff, 5 Elle Carr, 6 Mette McKinney, 7 Sarah Towne, 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott. Subs: Grace Rich, Gus Pointer Mace, Gabby Gitau, Dea Edwards, Chloe Bilger, Tate Wagner, Lydia Hong, Matty Sumrow, Sadye Krell & Ava Rowland.
Did not play: Sophia Bailey, Jude Robinson & Sabine Weil.
Unavailable: Kiki Takata, Rahmat Gambari, Inessa Zaslavsky, Zoey Ojalvo & Maggie Nealis.
2025-26 Record: 1-0-0.
Next: Saturday September 13th, 2025 Vassar College Women versus Syracuse University Women at Vassar College Farm KO: 2:00 pm (B-side game to follow at 3:30 pm v Marist University Women – to be confirmed).