Vassar 49, Fordham 0

Vassar College Rugby
Saturday October 19, 2002
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College Men 49 v Fordham University Men 0
Tries: Joe Schumacher (1), Jason Fotinatos (1), Chris Bedevian (3), Frank Sharpe (2), Christian Bruckhart (1), & Tony Baldor (1).
Cons: Brian Roach (1) & Tony Baldor (1).

Seeded number 1 Vassar were favourites in this Metropolitan New York quarterfinal game against number 4 south Fordham. The scoreline certainly suggests that they fulfilled all expectations as they ran in 9 unanswered tries! It was ironic as Vassar played so inconsistently and yet came away with tries to show for their work! A strange game it was as the Brewers never seemed to dominate and at times the play from both teams looked decidedly ragged. But Fordham made errors and apart from a short spell in the second half only threatened the Vassar line a few times.

The game kicked off under cloudy skies and a light drizzle and within 2 minutes Joe Schumacher had scored his first "A" side try after a penalty play about 10 meters out produced good ruck ball and the Brewers went blind. It was only a further 5 minutes before a it was 10-0 as Vassar drove a maul and then good ball was made available to Tony Baldor who whipped it out to Jason Fotinatos and the winger made no mistake rounding to go closer to the posts. Brian Roach was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt but it was clear that Vassar could win this game handily and perhaps the players were guilty of letting their foot off the gas pedal.

Chris Bedevian opened his own personal account next with a try after a penalty play and it was to be the first of three for the often overshadowed member of the backrow trio. The Armenian from the Bronx paid dearly for his efforts today as Fordham stamped and punched him. But in the end he kept his cool and hurt them all the more with another 2 tries in the second half.

Frank Sharpe scored a couple of tries that were strong individual efforts but the USA U.19 flanker will want to forget this game in a hurry as he turned over the ball too often and was somewhat lateral in his running. Christian Bruckhart scored the game's only phantom try when he dived for the line only to be held up just short, but the referee after consultation with the video ref gave the try!

Rarely can a team have scored so many tries and yet not seemed to have the game under control. Vassar kept missing tackles and giving Fordham opportunities to get back in the contest. But the Rams all too often handed the ball right back with a ribbon on it and Vassar gladly accepted the presents. Even the Vassar backs, reknowned for their conservative approach i.e. one pass and ruck, put the ball through the hands and attempted counter-attacks! Tony Baldor had one of his better games of the year and was justifiably rewarded with a try and completed the day kicking the final conversion. Vassar made just 2 of 9 conversions but it matter not a jot with 49 on the board.

The Vassar College Men's team would like to thank "The Bear" for his generous support on and off the field. Fall Break is over now and the Brewers have a semifinal match-up next weekend at home against either Rutgers or New Paltz who play tomorrow (Sunday October 20, 2002).

Team: 15 Bradley Gray 14 Jason Fotinatos 13 Brian Roach 12 Max Marquardt 11 Joe Schumacher 10 Sean Devendorf 9 Tony Baldor * 1 Sam Filler 2 Sebastian Denton 3 Evan Milliken 4 Jake McDougal 5 Jon Campbell 6 Chris Bedevian 7 Frank Sharpe 8 Christian Bruckhart Subs: Adam Serwer for Joe Schumacher, David McCarthy for Bradley Gray, Mike Esrick for Max Marquardt, & Yi Guan for Sam Filler (3 secs!)



	Fordham Swept Aside, Vassar Advance to Met. Final 4 Vassar College Rugby Saturday October 19, 2002 Poughkeepsie, NY Vassar College Men 49 v Fordham University Men 0 Tries: Joe Schumacher (1), Jason Fotinatos (1), Chris Bedevian (3), Frank Sharpe (2), Christian Bruckhart (1), & Tony Baldor (1). Cons: Brian Roach (1) & Tony Baldor (1). Seeded number 1 Vassar were favourites in this Metropolitan New York quarterfinal game against number 4 south Fordham. The scoreline certainly suggests that they fulfilled all expectations as they ran in 9 unanswered tries! It was ironic as Vassar played so inconsistently and yet came away with tries to show for their work! A strange game it was as the Brewers never seemed to dominate and at times the play from both teams looked decidedly ragged. But Fordham made errors and apart from a short spell in the second half only threatened the Vassar line a few times. The game kicked off under cloudy skies and a light drizzle and within 2 minutes Joe Schumacher had scored his first "A" side try after a penalty play about 10 meters out produced good ruck ball and the Brewers went blind. It was only a further 5 minutes before a it was 10-0 as Vassar drove a maul and then good ball was made available to Tony Baldor who whipped it out to Jason Fotinatos and the winger made no mistake rounding to go closer to the posts. Brian Roach was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt but it was clear that Vassar could win this game handily and perhaps the players were guilty of letting their foot off the gas pedal. Chris Bedevian opened his own personal account next with a try after a penalty play and it was to be the first of three for the often overshadowed member of the backrow trio. The Armenian from the Bronx paid dearly for his efforts today as Fordham stamped and punched him. But in the end he kept his cool and hurt them all the more with another 2 tries in the second half. Frank Sharpe scored a couple of tries that were strong individual efforts but the USA U.19 flanker will want to forget this game in a hurry as he turned over the ball too often and was somewhat lateral in his running. Christian Bruckhart scored the game's only phantom try when he dived for the line only to be held up just short, but the referee after consultation with the video ref gave the try! Rarely can a team have scored so many tries and yet not seemed to have the game under control. Vassar kept missing tackles and giving Fordham opportunities to get back in the contest. But the Rams all too often handed the ball right back with a ribbon on it and Vassar gladly accepted the presents. Even the Vassar backs, reknowned for their conservative approach i.e. one pass and ruck, put the ball through the hands and attempted counter-attacks! Tony Baldor had one of his better games of the year and was justifiably rewarded with a try and completed the day kicking the final conversion. Vassar made just 2 of 9 conversions but it matter not a jot with 49 on the board. The Vassar College Men's team would like to thank "The Bear" for his generous support on and off the field. Fall Break is over now and the Brewers have a semifinal match-up next weekend at home against either Rutgers or New Paltz who play tomorrow (Sunday October 20, 2002). Team: 15 Bradley Gray 14 Jason Fotinatos 13 Brian Roach 12 Max Marquardt 11 Joe Schumacher 10 Sean Devendorf 9 Tony Baldor * 1 Sam Filler 2 Sebastian Denton 3 Evan Milliken 4 Jake McDougal 5 Jon Campbell 6 Chris Bedevian 7 Frank Sharpe 8 Christian Bruckhart Subs: Adam Serwer for Joe Schumacher, David McCarthy for Bradley Gray, Mike Esrick for Max Marquardt, & Yi Guan for Sam Filler (3 secs!)