Brewers Score Four Tries, But Huskies Score Five

Reading the headline one would think that this was a tight contest but UConn jumped out to an early lead courtesy of a good kick chase game, solid tackling, quick thinking, and some very debatable refereeing at the breakdown so they lead 21-0. Mark Jordan, the Connecticut head coach, confided afterwards that he thought his Huskies would run away with the game at that point and graciously stated that the Vassar Women had shown their mettle. In fact, in the second half Vassar held UConn scoreless, scored 2 tries of their own, scored a third that the referee did not award having not seen it, and if that wasn't frustration enough Vassar's Cierra Thomas went in but was then tackled at the dead ball line and put a foot in touch in-goal.

Vassar College Women 22 v 35 University of Connecticut Women
Tries: Kayla Lightner (1), Cierra Thomas (2), & Anne Fritzson (1).
Cons: Mary Margaret McElduff (1).

This was a massively frustrating game for all the players on account of the varying interpretation at
the breakdown. But give UConn full credit for a number of important qualities. They started the game playing at a high tempo, they kicked deep into the Vassar half and used their speedy kick chase to shut down the counter-attack, and they competed at the breakdown fiercely. In response Vassar was strong in the tackle and it looked like a really good game was going to unfold in the sunshine on the UConn campus.

The area where this game was decided, as are most, was at the breakdown. UConn tacklers and assist tacklers swarmed over the tackled Vassar ball carrier and on a number of occasions they put Richie McCaw to shame! Tacklers and assist tackles rarely released before poaching the ball, players on the ground played the ball, and bodies were flying over the ruck as players lost their feet with both sides seeking to gain ascendency. But it was the Vassar players that kept getting penalized and by the end of the half the penalty count was 10-2.

UConn kicked deep and pinned Vassar back in the 22 and they upped the ante by taking quick tap penalties putting Vassar was on the back foot. It was good smart rugby that created pressure. The UConn first try came after a penalty that was quickly taken just 10 yards out. Vassar then managed to have some possession but they went off script and moved the ball wide and a pass was dropped in the center at the 10-meter line. UConn flipped the ball out 2 passes to their speedy right wing and it was 14-0. It seemed that at every other breakdown there was a quick whistle and Vassar was more often than not penalized. Pinned back again the Brewers conceded a 7^th penalty in the first 14 minutes and UConn took full advantage scooting in for another try.

The mid-portion of the first half bore witness to Vassar keeping the ball for longer periods and with the forwards making good yards and the backs getting through the first line of the UConn defense confidence began to grow. Inside center Kayla Lightner scored a deserved try and Mary Margaret McElduff slotted the conversion to make it 21-7. Buoyed by this good passage of play Cierra Thomas picked up from the base of a ruck and ran in an unconverted try and it was now 21-12.

UConn responded to these Vassar tries and after a series of high tackles they punched over to make it 28-12. UConn scored their final try of the half and in fact the game after a period of sustained pressure in the Vassar 22 when after winning a number of rucks their center wriggled over to give them a comfortable lead of 35-12.

The second half was a different story as Vassar dominated territory and possession. Certainly, UConn took their foot of the gas as often happens when a team has a significant lead but within 2 minutes Cierra Thomas went over for a try but the referee did not see the ball grounded and by the time he had run around in-goal UConn had squirmed under the ball! Moments later Thomas was denied another try. A poor UConn clearance kick, high down the middle of the field that barely left the 22, was caught and the ensuing ruck won. Thomas picked up and ran around the left flank and into the in-goal. She decided to run it closer to the posts but was tackled and stepped on the dead ball line – no try! Full credit is due to the UConn number 10 for chasing back and making the tackle.

In the space of 5 minutes Vassar had twice got over the line but failed to earn points. One got the feeling it was not their day! This was further enforced when after another 10 minutes of play in the UConn 22 Thomas again went over but the ball was held up in-goal.
Finally, right wing Anne Fritzson went over and although she was injured as she scored it was now 35-17. But a 25% return on visits to the in-goal is not a recipe for winning rugby! The good news was that UConn had not been out of their half.

At the restart UConn did have a few possessions on the Vassar 22 but after a turnover the Brewers quickly marched down the field and it was pressure for the home team again in their own 22. The Vassar forwards were keeping it tight and they battered away at the UConn line. The Huskies tackled well but in the end Thomas slipped through and the score stood at 35-22.

Vassar finished the game with 14 players as Nathalie Freeman was sin-binned for a high tackle but neither side scored again and the victors were the Huskies. They had out-hustled the Brewers at the breakdown and edged Vassar for territory in the first half. The 21 points conceded at the outset allied to the missed opportunities in the second half made it a tough day for the Brewers.


Team: 15 Rachel Elson 14 Anne Fritzson 13 Cierra Thomas 12 Kayla Lightner 11 Abigail Alexander 10 Mary Margaret McElduff 9 Jyen Wong 1 Darienne Jones 2 Kristina Catomeris 3 Mariah Ghant 4 Amanda Saich 5 Lauren Workman 6 Sarah Mawhinney 7 Nathalie Freeman 8 Taylor Nunley.
Subs: Rachel Jones for Anne Fritzson, Oshana Reich for Lauren Workman, & Yasani Spencer for Mariah Ghant.
Overall record: 12-4-0
Next: Saturday April 16^th & 17^th, 2016 Vassar College Women at The Beast of the East Tournament in Portsmouth, RI  (Depart Friday April 15^th, 2016 at 7:00 pm from the AFC).
Vassar has depth as B-side defeats UConn B

Vassar College Women "B" 22 v 35 University of Connecticut Women     
Tries: Jennie To (1), Andrea Ramsay (1), Megan deKonig (1), & Marron McConnell (1).
Cons: Makena Emery (1).

This was a significant win for this group of predominantly first year players. The forwards showed real discipline and recycled the ball consistently. The difference between this game and the previous game was that the UConn rookies were not yet versed in the poaching skills at the tackle. Thus Vassar was not turned over and good body position when they rucked allowed them to win clean ball. Kudos to all the forwards and it was fitting that 2 tries should be scored by the flankers – Megan deKoning and Marron McConnell.

Vassar faced a big UConn pack and the future looks bright for the Huskies if these players stick with the game. They have the size to dominate teams once they start firing on all cylinders.

For Vassar the halfbacks Jennie To and Makena Emery had plenty of ball and they did a good job of running the attack. Emery needs to be more consistent with her passing but she hit her targets enough to cause the UConn defense problems.

The key to this win was a team effort both with and without the ball. Setting up the defense quickly and making those double tackles is critical especially when the opposition has a size advantage. These players will be able to play some at next week's tournament and get experience alongside the seniors and that will be fun to watch.

Team: 15 Rachel Jones 14 Molly Osbirn 13 Alicia Menard-Livingston 12 Cayla Neipris 11 Andrea Ramsay 10 Makena Emery 9 Jennie To 1 Yasani Spencer 2 Ellen Quist 3 Katie Sworden 4 Miranda Scarlata 5 Oshana Reich 6 Marron McConnell 7 Megan deKoning 8 Claire Fondrie-Teitler.