Brewers Finish the Fall Third in the Nation

Desperately disappointed to have lost a semifinal on Saturday,  the Brewers showed a good measure of grit and resolve to defeat a tenacious and hard-tackling U.S. Coast Guard Academy. It certainly wasn’t pretty, as damp and then rainy conditions made handling difficult, but sometimes ugly is good enough.

Vassar College Women 15 v 10 United States Coast Guard Academy

Tries: Mary Margaret McElduff (1) & Nathalie Freeman (2).

Although the final score might suggest that this was a close contest a more detailed examination reveals that in fact Vassar dominated proceedings. Of the 80 minutes of play in this game the Coast Guard Academy spent less than 9 minutes in the Vassar half!

In the first half Coast Guard kicked off and the ball was only in Vassar’s half for less than a minute as the Brewers quickly drove toward the opposition goal line. Vassar managed 3 tries in the half and the only times Coast Guard entered Vassar territory was with the restart after each try!

Vassar rucked well and made significant yards and probably should have put this game to bed with another 3 tries in that opening half but for penalties and spilled passes. The picking game was successful but too often players would run wide and get isolated. One must also credit the Coast Guard players for their commitment to the tackle. In particular, their lock forward wearing number 4 stood out as she leveled some V.C. ball carriers.

Vassar’s Mariah Ghant came within inches of the line twice and had another strong game. Flanker Nathalie Freeman scored twice with some determined running after Mary Margaret McElduff had slipped through the Coast Guard defense to open Vassar’s account. But if truth be told the halfback partnership, that has been a real strength of the team this fall, had a rough day at the office. Scrumhalf Jennie To ran well enough but the connection to McElduff was not so good.

McElduff has had a banner fall and consistently launched her outside backs. But after about 15 minutes she kept the ball and ran well to score a good try. Vassar’s forwards took control of the battle up front and constantly made inroads that eventually led to two tries for Freeman. Vassar was without influential Number 8 Amanda Saich who was injured but Claire Fondrie-Teitler stepped in and did well.

Freeman’s second try came after she ran hard onto a pass and then spun to the inside as she was being tackled to score. Vassar was well worth the 15-point lead given their amount of territory and possession.

So, the teams turned around at the half with Vassar up 15-0 and the Brewers had been squatters for the entire time in Coast Guard territory! Coast Guard had made a gross minus a baker’s dozen plus a score of tackles and the second forty began with them still on the back foot.

Vassar continued to squander chance after chance following good enough approach work. Rachel Elson looked certain to score but her pass to Abby Alexander was judged to be forward. Freeman, Workman, and Ghant all came close up front. Alicia Menard-Livingston and Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild also had significant line breaks inside the Coast Guard 22 but somehow the Coast Guard defense held or Vassar turned the ball over. It was frustrating for the Vassar supporters – quite sizeable given the raw weather conditions – and while one never felt the game would be lost, Coast Guard was not going away!

After the one hour mark Coast Guard finally managed to win a few phases in the Vassar half and following some frenetic offloads they scored. So, with 15 minutes left they had a life line thrown to them. Vassar responded well immediately keeping the ball and going deep in to the opposition half. But the turnover malaise, be it knock-on or penalty, still haunted them in the final third. In the 79th minute a couple of missed tackles led to a Coast Guard score and at 15-10 Vassar restarted  the game. The Academy had a last gasp opportunity but the receiver was bundled into touch and the final whistle blew.

Playing the consolation game is so, so tough for both teams. Hurting bodies and the disappointment of not making the championship game can contrive to erode one’s commitment and desire. Credit is due the Vassar captains for motivating their teammates and ensuring that a National ranking of #3 was earned and a fall record of 12-2 compiled as they also  finish as the Northeast Regional Champions.

In the Championship game, Davenport University defeated Winona State 37-0.

Davenport have a record of 10-1 this fall and are worthy champions. Congratulations to all the Panthers players and coaching staff. They conceded a total of only 14 tries this Fall – 7 in a loss to Notre Dame College, 1 in the regular season, and 6 to Vassar yesterday.

There is much to be proud about for the Brewers this Fall as they have represented the college with real class and dignity. This weekend was very special as a host of VC Rugby Alumni, family and friends sent messages of support or attended the championship itself. Thank you to Charlie Williams ‘80 and Michael Cesta ‘82 in particular for sponsoring a team dinner. But thank you to all the extended Vassar Rugby family for being so, so supportive of these young women. The team put their heart and soul into this effort that started back in mid-August and came within a whisker of the championship game. The whole squad is immensely grateful for the support and encouragement they have received from their professors, Vassar Athletics and the administration.

Team: 15 Rachel Elson 14 Abigail Alexander 13 Laila Blumenthal-Rothchild 12 Alicia Menard-Livingston 11 Andrea Ramsay 10 Mary Margaret McElduff 9 Jennie To 1 Kaitlin Prado 2 Kate Sworden 3 Mariah Ghant 4 Oshana Reich 5 Lauren Workman 6 ?Nathalie Freeman 7 Sarah Mawhinney 8 Claire Fondrie-Teitler.

Subs: Miranda Scarlata for Sarah Mawhinney, Michelle Urrutia for Andrea Ramsay.

Squad: Ellen Quist, Eve Coulibaly, Charlotte Benoit, Dylan Joyner, Danielle Kaminski, Kayla Vasquez, Fiona Brodie, Amanda Saich, Caroline James, Megan de Koning, Lizzie Bennett, Rachel Jones, Kaitlin Prado, Kayla Lightner, Yasani Spencer, Aja Dunn, Gabby Caballero, Kate Titowsky, Amy Hansen, Jyen Wong, Sam Sample, & Makena Emery.

Overall record: 12-2-0