For Immediate Release

College Rugby in the Tri-State area (NY-NJ-CT)

Monday July 24th, 2023

The fires may have raged in Canada, the heat is still high in the eastern US and things are starting to come into focus for the Fall 2023 Rugby Season in the Met NY region.

The loss of 2 teams from the Division II ranks put a cat among the pigeons and left USMMA, Kings Point high and dry. Would that those teams seeking a Division II competition had joined Tri-State but alas they did not. So Maritime and Hofstra will play games in that DII and there have been attempts to play some cross conference games. The net result is that USMMA get to prepare for the NCR playoffs with their games, meanwhile Hofstra and Maritime will advance to DIII Conference semifinals.

The DIII Men, aka Small College Division, is also in a bit of turmoil with teams having less players on their roster. Covid-19 and the loss of the 2020-21 season did the damage. The top 2 teams will advance following the DIII games and play either Hofstra or Maritime for a shot at the NCR playoffs. The DIII teams may end up being those teams that can field a fifteen each week! Checkout the Fall Schedules below but if you want to see the Playoff Structure then go to the main menu on the Home page and click on Playoffs.

Men DIII Schedules Fall 23

Men DII Schedules Fall 23

For Immediate Release

Tri-State Conference – Collegiate 7s Rugby

See the schedule of games below for the Tri-State Women’s 7s Championship

Sunday April 16th, 2023

For Immediate Release

Tri-State Conference – Collegiate 7s Rugby, 2023

To see the schedule of games click on the link below:

Saturday April 1st, 2023 MEN

TS 7s 2023 Games Schedule MEN

The Fall 2023 Division Schedules have been released and it looks like being another exciting year in the Tri-State Conference.

On the men’s side Marist College will look to defend their title but will face a more rigorous schedule than last year with the addition of games against Hofstra University and SUNY-Maritime College. These two schools will compete in Division II in the regular season but advance to the semifinals of the Division III as the pathway to a National Championship bid. “Hofstra and Maritime have large squads and can provide an A and B side game for opponents, hence their inclusion in the Division II regular season,” said Conference Commissioner Tony Brown.

In Division III the hope is that with more parity of competition the programs will be able to be more prepared for the playoffs so that the semifinals are meaningful games.

The Tri-State Conference Women will see defending CRAA Fall Champions Vassar College face stiff competition from last year’s runner-up Fairfield University as well as Columbia University. In addition Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Marist will look to launch their challenges and the newcomers to the top tier are Siena College in what promised to be an interesting season.

Please click on the link below to see the full Fall 2023 schedule.

TS Schedules Fall 2023 (ALL) 1-31-23

For Immediate Release

College Rugby

Sunday December 4, 2022

Matthews, NC

TRI-STATE CHAMPIONS WIN FALL NATIONAL TITLE

The Vassar College Women defeated the U.S. Coast Guard Academy by the convincing score of 78-24 to win the College Rugby of America Association (CRAA) Fall National title. The Vassar Brewers defeated Temple University, 51-17, in the semifinal on Saturday December 3rd, 2022 . The win on the Sunday is the second consecutive title for the Mid-Hudson based school. In fact, the team won the title for the first time in 2018, finished 4th in 2019 and there was no championship in 2020 but the team won in 2021 and now 2022.

Vassar is proud to represent the Tri-State teams and the competition within the Conference is fierce ensuring that any team that advances is a worthy contender. The Brewers would like to extend special thanks to the Marist College Women and SUNY-New Paltz Women, being the first to send congratulations on social media.

Match Reports

Vassar College Women 51 v 17 Temple University Women
Tries: Asia Baker (5), Julie Geller (1), Isabel Rodriguez (2), Katie Canavan (1).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (3).

In an exciting and close first half of action Temple scored first despite Vassar monopolizing territory and possession and led 7-0. The Vassar Brewers virtually set up camp in the Temple 22-meter area but did not convert the field position into points.

A penalty here and  there combined with turnovers and Temple was able to hold Vassar at bay. In fact, the Owls went way better than that, as a loose ball tapped from a lineout bounced into the hands of the Temple fullback just inside the 22. For a moment it looked like the ball would be knocked on but she regathered and then sprinted down the left touchline evading tacklers to give the Owls the lead.

Vassar responded well, marching right down and over the Temple goal line only to have the ball held up and from the ensuing goal line drop out Sophia Bailey scampered to within a few yards of the goal line. The Vassar forwards drove over the ball only for Andie Authers to put a foot in touch as she grounded the ball. The lineout was won by Temple and the fullback opted to kick but did not find touch. Vassar’s fullback Danny White collected the ball and darted down the middle as Vassar immediately made the good field position pay dividends and Asia Baker went over for her first try, picking at a ruck, driving forward and it was a 7-5 scoreline.

Temple then had their best passage of attacking play in the first half for the next 5 minutes. Vassar neglected to build a defensive line at a couple of breakdowns and some determined running by the Owls led to a penalty in the Vassar 22 as Temple took a 12-5 lead after converting a try.

Vassar went back to work and put together multiple phases with the forwards getting over the gain line and after good gains it was loosehead prop Julie Geller who took no prisoners and powered over as was her want. It was just reward for the team and although Temple still had the lead Vassar had regained the momentum at 10-12.

Grace Skakel and Lauren Showalter along with all the forwards now were hitting their stride running off the fringes. The backs too were getting over the gain line. 

From the restart, after Geller’s try, Vassar went through 17 phases in 2 minutes 27 seconds with 9 different ball carriers and then Sophia Bailey dived in for a score. Alas, the officials judged that as Bailey grounded the ball it was knocked forward! But the Vassar team had made an emphatic statement that control was theirs and they could move the ball forward.

Some Vassar attacks were thwarted with the ball lost at the breakdown and Temple would clear their lines with kicks. But in not making touch Vassar would regain the ball and control. Just before the half Asia Baker again barreled her way over and with that score Vassar had the lead 15-12.

The second forty minutes was essentially another half of territory and possession dominance but the difference was Vassar cut down on the mistakes. Temple continued to tackle strongly and battle hard but with less turnovers the Brewers were able to add another six tries! Baker added three to her tally while Isabel Rodriguez most deservedly got a couple. Rodriguez has toiled all year getting over the gain line regularly, so to twice make the whitewash was very satisfying.

The first try of the second half was another emphatic statement by the Brewers as they moved the ball from a scrum at center field to the right touchline then went down the middle with a sublime line break by Caeli Porette that was well supported by Claire Zickl. The ball was secured and then the forwards took it to the left before it came back to the middle and Rodriguez smashed over. Zoe Lynch slotted the conversion and it was now 22-12.

In this opening stanza of the second half two plays in particular stood out and were exceptional in terms of work rate and psychology. First Sophia Bailey sprinted almost 60 meters and was hauled down inside the Temple 22. After a quick pick the ball was stolen by Temple and shifted to the right sideline. In hot pursuit was Bailey and she tackled the Temple speedster. Moments later Temple fielded a kick to touch that went into the in-goal and the Temple fullback elected to run it out. The most dangerous Temple open field runner was now attacking but Vassar’s Caeli Porette was not having any of it and they chased her down making a crunching tackle.

Asia Baker plunged over after Kasey Drake had made good yards inside the 22 and it was 29-12. Katie Canavan had a good day with some runs and tackles also collecting a try in the process.

Vassar advances to the Championship game where the opponent will be the U.S. Coast Guard Academy after the Bears defeated Colorado School of Mines 32-17. Kick-off is 12:00 noon and the contest will be live streamed via the Rugby Network.

Team: 15 Danny White 14 Zoe Lynch 13 Caeli Porette 12 Isabel Rodriguez 11 Elise Johnson 10 Kasey Drake 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Julie Geller 2 Katie Canavan 3 Andie Authers 4 Julia Wolff 5 Grace Skakel 6 Louise Ambler 7 Asia Baker 8 Lauren Showalter. Subs: Claire Zickl for Danny White, Yasmeen Kassem-Scott for Andi Authers, Jamie Marinez for Elise Johnson, Sam Tang for Julie Geller.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Matthews, NC – Senior Caeli Porette was named the Tournament MVP as the Vassar College Women’s Rugby team repeated as the CRAA Women’s Rugby Division II National Champions with a 78-24 victory over the United States Coast Guard Academy. This was a Championship to savor for the Brewers as they traveled to defend their 2021 title with a squad of 38 players, comprised 21 rugby rookies and just four seniors.

Vassar College Women 78 v 24 U.S. Coast Guard Academy Women 
Tries:  Sophia Bailey (4), Caeli Porette (4), Asia Baker (2), Yasmeen Kassem-Scott (1), Julie Geller (1).
Cons: Zoe Lynch (9)

In the end it was an emphatic win for the Vassar College Women as the team scored 12 tries and winger Zoe Lynch kicked 9 of 12 conversions. But the Brewers turned the ball over at the outset and the Bears went straight to work pushing the ball wide and outstretching the Vassar defense as Coast Guard’s wing Sarah Moore went over for a try.

Vassar restarted and pressured the Coast Guard getting a turnover and the forwards went to work. Keeping things tight and attacking the fringes of the ruck the Brewers entered the opposition 22. But the first of four good strips by Coast Guard defenders allowed the Academy to kick deep and then force a scrum in the Vassar half.

Vassar settled into their picking game but also swung the ball to the backs and at the 12 minute mark, Vassar’s Sophia Bailey settled the nerves diving over to make it 5-7. The freshman scrumhalf had a banner day and by the finish had 4 tries. The second try was an exceptional individual run fom just inside the Vassar half Bailey took a quick tap when a penalty was awarded and ran diagonally to the left wing then cut back to the inside and outdistanced the entire team to score to the right of the right upright! It was sensational and Vassar had the lead.12-7. It also bears mentioning that Bailey was joyous after both the tries scored, jumping up and down, smiling and beaming with pride. This number 9 is no one trick pony for she has also produced some outstanding tackles and rucks dynamically.

The momentum in the game had shifted and the Vassar forward play that had been pretty good to this point kicked into a higher gear. All eight of the pack were making yards, the support was close and there were solid gains by Grace Skakel, Asia Baker and Lauren Showalter.

Vassar struck next through Caeli Porette as they received an offload from inside center Isabel Rodriguez who had made an impressive line break. Porette didn’t make the line but after a couple of phases inside the Coast Guard 22 they were again available with flyhalf Kasey Drake connecting and it was 19-7 as Vassar was able to move the ball upfield and the backs were getting over the gain line as well.

At the next scrum near halfway on the Coast Guard 10-meter line on the right side a poor pass was bobbled by Bailey. The freshman opted to pass it to the backs and uncharacteristically Isabel Rodriguez passed to Porette. The Vassar backs were probably just as surprised as the Coast Guard defenders as Porette sprinted to the left hand corner to score untouched. At 24-7 Coast Guard had to respond and that they did.

Coast Guard had field position and when they moved the ball to the backs they would run switches. Vassar was guilty of giving a couple of penalties away at the breakdown and the Academy swiftly tapped and scored in the left corner. A 24-12 scoreline at the 30 minutes mark was much more respectable and a decent period of possession saw the Bears attack consistently. There was a real urgency and determination about their carries and it resulted in a good try. Fullback Hannah Green went over and it was game on at 24-17.

Vassar now needed to wrestle back the initiative and they did so delivering not one but two telling scores. With five minutes remaining in the half the Brewers drove into the Coast Guard 22 and the forwards bludgeoned their way through the orange and blue defensive line. A penalty allowed Bailey to tap and slither over despite a high tackle. Vassar caught the restart, Porette slammed up the middle breaking the line and the forwards drove relentlessly as a penalty sent the Brewers back but a turnover allowed Vassar to get possession and a high tackle from Coast Guard led to a second yellow card and that meant a red for the player! Down to 14 players for the remainder of the match was always going to be difficult. With the clock past 40 minutes, Vassar struck again through Asia Baker and so in seven minutes the score had gone from 24-17 to 36-17.

In the second half Vassar scored first with Porette slicing over between the sticks. The team was playing with real confidence and the work of the Fall Season was paying dividends. Next up on the scoresheet was freshman Yasmeen Kassem-Scott and later Julie Geller found the whitewash.

It really was a team effort and the close support from the Vassar forwards and the backs getting over the gain line were keys to success while on the defensive side of the ball there was a real intent to pressure the opposition and tackle. The countless hours hitting blue shields and getting good body position in all the contact areas was evident.

Women’s National Collegiate Division II Champions
2018 Vassar College Women’s Rugby
2021 Vassar College Women’s Rugby
2022 Vassar College Women’s Rugby

Team: 15 Claire Zickl 14 Zoe Lynch 13 Caeli Porette 12 Isabel Rodriguez 11 Elise Johnson 10 Kasey Drake 9 Sophia Bailey 1 Julie Geller 2 Katie Canavan 3 Andie Authers 4 Julia Wolff 5 Grace Skakel 6 Louise Ambler 7 Asia Baker 8 Lauren Showalter. Subs: Jamie Marinez for Claire Zickl, Yasmeen Kassem-Scott for Andie Authers, Samuel Tang for Julie Geller, Ariel Birnbaum for Julia Wolff. Subs not used: Sarah Boucher-Rowe, Sarah Winickoff, Madeline Sumrow, Bella Robinson.

Traveling reserves: Annie Adams, Nina Fishman, Yael Tuckman, Maya Winter, Katie Halston, Awien Jel, Lola Yost, Leila Stark, Foster Schrader, Mette McKinney, Sadie Hammarhead.
Injured: Danny White, Claire Dwyer, Maeve Smith, Liz Slein.
Non-traveling reserves: Hannah Charlson, MC Cicenia, Cora Blackwell, Gillian Ciaccio, Sylvia Martinez.

For Immediate Release

Tri-State Conference Rugby

Poughkeepsie, NY

Tuesday November 22, 2022

Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) Women’s Division II Championship

The Fairfield University Women traveled to the Naval Academy in Annapolis and won their first round CRAA Playoff game defeating the number 1 team from the Rugby Northeast Conference, Providence College 29-10. The previous weekend Fairfield had defeated the number 2 team from the Mid-Atlantic region, Kutztown University, to earn the right to continue in the playoffs. The next day Fairfield faced Temple University, the Mid-Atlantic number 1 team and fell 22-10 but the team and coaching staff can be very proud of an outstanding season with notable wins, including an emphatic regular season victory over Vassar College to accompany those wins over other conference top teams.

The Vassar College Women will now face Temple University at then Final 4 in the semifinal of the CRAA Championship on Saturday December 3, 2022 at 10:00 am. On the other side of the draw the Colorado School of Mines face the U.S. Coast Guard Academy at 12:00 noon. The Championship game will be on Sunday December 4, 2022 in the stadium at the Mecklenburg Sportsplex Park in Matthews, NC with the kick-off at 12:00 noon.

For Immediate Release

Tri-State Conference Rugby

Poughkeepsie, NY

Tuesday November 22, 2022

Men’s Division II Postseason

The Marist College Men won their first round NCR Playoff game defeating the U.S. Coast Guard Academy 32-31 and advanced to the Sweet 16 Round hosted at Reading, PA. The Red Foxes fell to Indiana University Pennsylvania (IUP) after leading at the half and scoring first in the second half. However, 5 cards of which 4 were against Marist in the space of 5 minutes left them at a serious disadvantage and the final score of 41-18 saw IUP advance.

Men’s Division III

Small College

Hofstra University Men won the Tri-State Conference Central Division and went on to the NCR Small College Round of 16 playoffs and faced the University of Maine. However, they were well beaten by Maine 55-19. The next day Hofstra bounced back to finish third in the northeast defeating SUNY-Geneseo 45-24.

Challenge Bowl Series

The SUNY-Maritime College Men had a tough weekend in the NCR Challenge Bowl series facing 4 teams and finishing 0-4. Results: Keene State 17 v 5 SUNY-Maritime; Mass. Maritime 17 v 15 SUNY-Maritime; LeMoyne 42 v 0 SUNY-Maritime; and Bryant University 31 v 7 SUNY-Maritime College.

All these teams extended their fall season and gained valuable game experience that will no doubt serve them well in the future. Thanks are due to all the players and coaches for their efforts representing the Tri-State Conference.