Poughkeespsie, NY - The Marist University Women's team had a solid victory last weekend defeating Fairfield University Women 17-10 but the game took a toll. The Red Foxes were without their top scorer at outside center, their starting hooker, one of their two starting locks and a prop, not to mention plenty of bumps and bruises. Additionally, Coach Milliard was without bench players of experience so she had to fill in as best she could but few, if any, teams can deal with a third of their starting 23 unavailable. Unfortunately, it was local rivals Vassar that made the 10-minute ride across town and the Brewers were returning to action after a good win against the Army JV XV and a week of rest. 

Vassar College Women 85 v 10 Marist University Women
Tries: Nadya LaMarr (1), Ella Maniatis (1), Jo Ellis (2), Emma Niehaus (1), Rosie Perkinson (2), Tate Wagner (1), Leah Dourmashkin (2), Eleanor Jacoby (1), Kiki Takata (1), AC Smith (1).
Cons: Nadya LaMarr (10).

The Marist team put in 58 tackles in the first 28 minutes of this match and at that stage Vassar had scored 4 tries and controlled matters with some decent continuity. The error count was minimal with ball in hand and even though there were some ferocious tackles made by the home team the Brewers maintained good shape. 

Vassar winger Nadya LaMarr had quite a good day at the office scoring the opening try with some nifty footwork and over the course of the 80 minutes she slotted 10 conversions of 13 attempts. Her tally of 25 points was well deserved as she struck the ball very well.

Vassar's second try was scored by Ella Maniatis as she sliced through a gap that emerged following good phase play and given her defensive stints over the season it was lovely to see her get her name in lights.

Up front the Vassar pack is starting to gel and those with the high work rate who toil away deserve a pat on the back. Lock forward Jo Ellis made a number of carries and put her body on the line when tackling. She picked up a brace of tries, the first of which was a real peach and the team all played their role. After Vassar had been pinned in their own half and absorbed about 3 minutes of Marist pressure the ball was turned over and a lineout to the Brewers formed 12 meters inside the Vassar half. Vassar went through 20 phases covering 62 meters with the backs moving the ball 7 times and the forwards advancing it on 11 occasions, the attack went from touchline to touchline 3 times and the overall time of possession was 2 minutes and 40 seconds. Vassar led 19-0.

Marist responded well and stole the ball at the restart, attacking deep into Vassar territory. Marist was able to maintain possession but their efforts to get around the outside faltered on account of some good tackling, most notable were the performances of Emma Niehaus and Leah Dourmashkin. Tasked with the job of corralling Syd Weiss, together with backrow colleagues, both stood like Spartans at Thermopylae!

Marist didn't do themselves any favors as they tended to get penalized at the breakdown for coming in at the side or the second defender would get hands on the ball. It allowed Vassar to get possession back and mount attacks.

The Vassar forwards were on the front foot and the Vassar backs began to swing the ball wide where Rosie Perkinson slices and dices. The fullback had a solid day and her second try, Vassar's 7th of the first half, was from a goal line drop out when she returned it 45 yards untouched. At the half it was 50-0 and Marist could only hope for damage control. 

Another 5 tries in the second half and with Vassar emptying the bench there were some errors but overall the performance was rewarding. Dourmashkin opened the Vassar scoring with 2 tries at the start of the second 40 minutes. Senior Eleanor Jacoby crashed through for a try and her resume is looking ever stronger. She has played inside center, prop and now flanker for the Brewers and the wins just keep on coming! Senior Kiki Takata also scored and AC Smith, playing hooker, found the whitewash. 13 tries and 10 conversions for the Vassar team was the result of a lot of unselfish work like clearing out rucks and making tackles.

Marist's Syd Weiss scored a wonderful try going a full 70 plus yards and their flanker collected another score that was some consolation.

Marist will get their starters back and the bench will be strengthened. They also get a weekend off to recover and have a good shot at getting a postseason bid. The fact that they kept tackling throughout the 80 minutes speaks to their toughness but on this sunny Halloween day the Brewers were on a mission, error free rugby allied to a work ethic second to none.

Next week Vassar faces Fairfield University at the Farm and it'll be the last home game of the Fall 2026 Season with postseason to follow. It is hoped that a B-side game will also take place so that all players get some game time.