Vassar Rugby Advances Onto NCR Quarterfinals

By Tony Brown

CULPEPER, VA – Initially, it was a nervous start as Vassar players were turned over at the breakdown, dropped a couple of passes and penalties were given away. The University of New Hampshire gained good field position and then when Vassar broke out and fullback Jude Robinson looked to have scored a try, it was not given on account of the ball being knocked-on during the grounding. One got the feeling that this might be a tough day. But the 2023 finalists got their act together and began to control possession and by the halftime mark it was 24-0 as Vassar had scored four solid tries.

Vassar College Women 36 v 5 University of New Hampshire Women
Tries: Sophia Bailey (2), Jude Robinson (1), Tate Wagner (2), Leah Dourmashkin (1).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (3).

Neither team could have any complaints about the playing conditions. The Culpeper fields were nicely groomed and the sunshine and blue skies made for balmy temperatures. A slight breeze was a reminder that this was a autumn playoff game but it was not so strong as to hinder passing.

As stated above Vassar was a tad nervous and conceded possession far too easily in the opening 10-15 minutes. It was quite clear that UNH would send in jackalers consistently to try and get the ball. The video shows a couple good steals by the northern school but throughout the match there were quite a few where the player was clearly off their feet, indeed almost lying on their stomach stretching for the ball.

From just inside their own 22 Vassar attacked and went down the narrow side. Multiple phases later and having gone into the UNH half of the field the New Hampshire backs were caught offside and when Sophia Bailey took off at the penalty UNH was in disarray.

Moments later Vassar led 7-0 as Zoe Lynch slotted the conversion. It was quite a body blow for the majority of territory had been with UNH.

Vassar seemed to settle and immediately the forwards began making good yards and from the restart went right back into the UNH half again. The set piece was looking efficient with lineout ball being caught and the scrums really pushing UNH back.

UNH had earlier tried a couple of cross field kicks but to no avail and giving away possession was not a good option.

Vassar won a lineout on the right and after a good incursion up. the middle the ball was swung wide to Jude Robinson who scampered in untouched and there was no doubt about the grounding this time. This meant a 14-0 lead.

Mette McKinney and Tate Wagner were reigning supreme in the lineouts and it was from one such lineout that Wagner scored. Not long afterwards Wagner was again on the scoresheet for the brace and Vassar was cruising at 24-0. The UNH attack had dried up for when they did have the ball they only managed one or two phases before losing possession.

Vassar did pay a price during the first half as Number 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott had to leave the field after injury with Nina Fishman entered the game and Emma Niehaus went to flanker.

The halftime talk was all about maintaining intensity and closer support. UNH had stolen ball and the team would likely be vulnerable from such turnovers.

It was Sophia Bailey who scored next and try number five for the Brewers was a carbon copy of try number one. Angered by being prevented from taking a quick penalty Bailey took off anyway and proceeded to round multiple defenders before diving over in the corner. It is best not to rile the diminutive number 9.

At 29-0 UNH scored a good try moving the ball out wide and they must have thought that had they done this earlier and more often it would have been a closer match. Perhaps that was the plan all along but too often errors were forced.

Vassar lost Ella Maniatis just after the halftime break due to injury so Makaela Weldon came in and went to 12. Both are gutsy players and gave good accounts of themselves.

The sixth and final Vassar try of the match was scored by wing Leah Dourmashkin and it was well deserved. The winger had a feisty game showing some smart decisions and their usual grit and determination.

It is an age old formula but the contest must be won up front first and the Vassar set piece was solid which allowed the team to get on the front foot.

Vassar now plays the College of William and Mary in the round of eight, a quarterfinal. A win tomorrow will mean a trip to the Final 4 in Houston in a few weeks. The Brewers must be sharper with their support and stay focused with 100% effort for the entire 80 minutes.

Team: 15 Jude Robinson 14 Zoe Lynch 13 Ella Maniatis 12 Maddie Sumrow 11 Leah Dourmashkin 10 Sabine Weil 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Andie Authers 2 Emma Niehaus 3 Eleanor Jacoby 4 Julia Wolff 5 Sam Tang 6 Tate Wagner 7 Mette McKiney 8 Yasmeen Kassem-Scott.
Subs: Nadya LaMarr for Sophia Bailey, Nina Fishman for Yasmeen Kassem-Scott, AC Smith for Andie Authers, Makaela Weldon for Ella Maniatis.
Record: 12-0-0.
Conference: 9-0-0.