Vassar 43, Dartmouth 12

Vassar College Women 43 v Dartmouth College Women 12
Tries: Lydia Durand (2), Val Griffeth (2), Dana Wasserman (2) & Julie Half (1).

There was a nervous apprehension about the Vassar women's team as they awaited the game against the Northeast Rugby Union 2001 champions, Dartmouth. But unfortunately the Green Wave had traveled south missing several starters and after about 20 minutes it was clear that Vassar would carry the day without too much difficulty. However, it was to Dartmouth's credit that they battled long and hard and showed true character by winning the second half 12-5.

There can be no doubting that come playoff time in November Dartmouth will be a force with which to be reckoned. But credit is also due to Vassar who did as they should when faced with a weakened opponent. The forwards won plenty of ball, securing all their own lineouts, and constantly going forward. This enabled a new backline to operate with time and space.

Alum Emily Birdwhistell was there to check out the new back division and she had only praise for the entire group. Outstanding was center Lydia Durand who caught everything and ran with the confidence of a seasoned and experienced player. She scored the first try from a scrum center field as she opted to slip through a small gap as the backs ran from a split field. Her second try came in the second half as she took a crash ball right through the middle and showed the defence a clean pair of heels.

Lydia missed the spring season having broken her ankle while on tour in Australia and she is obviously back with a vengence! The backs all got in on the act as newcomer Val Griffeth scored a solo effort kicking and chasing a quick 22 meter drop out the entire length of the field. She also popped up outside Larkin Sealy to run in another.

Julie Half had a great start as skipper as she and Darcy Nelson combined well all day and she was rewarded with one of her textbook short range tries. And out on the wing Dana Wasserman benefitted from her colleagues work. A stray kick was caught deep in the Vassar half by Val Griffeth who stepped inside the first tackler then linked with Lydia Durand who passed on to Sarah Turbett who expertly drew the next defender and put Dana away down the right wing. Wasserman appeared on the left wing and after a dummy crash and miss move Sealy popped up the ball and there was Dana ready to race to the corner. It was a good start to the season but this squad knows that there is much more work to be done. Dartmouth will be eager to make up for this scoreline.

Team:
15 Val Griffeth 14 Dana Wasserman 13 Lydia Durand 12 Sarah Turbett 11 Larkin Sealy 10 Julia Rosen 9 Julie Half 1 Jessica Fyles 2 Vanessa Chang 3 Nora Weiss 4 Sari Warren 5 Vanessa Morris 6 Killian Dykes 7 Emerald Garvey 8 Darcy Nelson Subs: Vivian Lee for Larkin Sealy, Emily Dorman for Dana Wasserman, Mollie Warren for Val Griffeth, Amber Hawkes for Vanessa Morris, and Cristy Shumaker for Sari Warren.



	BREWERS DOWN DARTMOUTH 43-12 Vassar College Women 43 v Dartmouth College Women 12 Tries: Lydia Durand (2), Val Griffeth (2), Dana Wasserman (2) & Julie Half (1). There was a nervous apprehension about the Vassar women's team as they awaited the game against the Northeast Rugby Union 2001 champions, Dartmouth. But unfortunately the Green Wave had traveled south missing several starters and after about 20 minutes it was clear that Vassar would carry the day without too much difficulty. However, it was to Dartmouth's credit that they battled long and hard and showed true character by winning the second half 12-5. There can be no doubting that come playoff time in November Dartmouth will be a force with which to be reckoned. But credit is also due to Vassar who did as they should when faced with a weakened opponent. The forwards won plenty of ball, securing all their own lineouts, and constantly going forward. This enabled a new backline to operate with time and space. Alum Emily Birdwhistell was there to check out the new back division and she had only praise for the entire group. Outstanding was center Lydia Durand who caught everything and ran with the confidence of a seasoned and experienced player. She scored the first try from a scrum center field as she opted to slip through a small gap as the backs ran from a split field. Her second try came in the second half as she took a crash ball right through the middle and showed the defence a clean pair of heels. Lydia missed the spring season having broken her ankle while on tour in Australia and she is obviously back with a vengence! The backs all got in on the act as newcomer Val Griffeth scored a solo effort kicking and chasing a quick 22 meter drop out the entire length of the field. She also popped up outside Larkin Sealy to run in another. Julie Half had a great start as skipper as she and Darcy Nelson combined well all day and she was rewarded with one of her textbook short range tries. And out on the wing Dana Wasserman benefitted from her colleagues work. A stray kick was caught deep in the Vassar half by Val Griffeth who stepped inside the first tackler then linked with Lydia Durand who passed on to Sarah Turbett who expertly drew the next defender and put Dana away down the right wing. Wasserman appeared on the left wing and after a dummy crash and miss move Sealy popped up the ball and there was Dana ready to race to the corner. It was a good start to the season but this squad knows that there is much more work to be done. Dartmouth will be eager to make up for this scoreline. Team: 15 Val Griffeth 14 Dana Wasserman 13 Lydia Durand 12 Sarah Turbett 11 Larkin Sealy 10 Julia Rosen 9 Julie Half 1 Jessica Fyles 2 Vanessa Chang 3 Nora Weiss 4 Sari Warren 5 Vanessa Morris 6 Killian Dykes 7 Emerald Garvey 8 Darcy Nelson Subs: Vivian Lee for Larkin Sealy, Emily Dorman for Dana Wasserman, Mollie Warren for Val Griffeth, Amber Hawkes for Vanessa Morris, and Cristy Shumaker for Sari Warren.