Sports
International Squash Tour Hits Campus
Vassar hosted the Women’s International Squash Players Association in January in the inaugural Vassar College Class of 1932 Championship. This year Vassar was the only college in the United States to host a WISPA stop, out of only four WISPA tourneys scheduled in the U.S. The competition was sponsored in the name of the class of ’32 by Al Gordon, whose mother was Mary Rousmaniere Gordon ’32.
While No. 1 ranked Suzanne Horner won the professional tourney, on the amateur side, Pam Schoenberg ’01, Vassar’s No. 1 player, took fourth.
“This was a great chance for women from all over the local community to compete against opponents of a similar playing ability,” head squash coach Jane Parker said. “Additionally, we all got the opportunity to enjoy some of the world’s best players in action on our courts.”
Jones Honored for Singles and Doubles Tennis Play
For four steady years, Lauren Jones has worked on her tennis game. She has molded and honed her singles and doubles skills during countless hours of drill sessions and practices. In the end, her efforts paid off with an All-Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association selection as both a singles and doubles player.
Her doubles partner, Jessica Shofler ’04, was also recognized. This fall, Jones compiled a 14-12 record while advancing to the quarterfinals of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northeast Championship in both the singles and doubles bracket. She also led Vassar to a second place finish at the UCAA championship.
“She and (partner) Jessica (Shofler) proved themselves against good opponents,” said coach Kathy Campbell, explaining the actual selection. “(UCAA) coaches considered record, strength of schedule and position on the team. Lauren had all three of those.”
Womens Soccer Team Earns ECAC Crown
With the help of senior team captain Annie Izaki, the Brewers defeated SUNY- Brockport to win the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference title—the team’s second in four seasons. Izaki was named tournament Most Valuable Player and was a first-team All-Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association selection.
This was the first season in the UCAA for the Brewers, who posted an 11-7-1 overall record under interim head coach Norm Riker. “It was a pleasure and honor to work with this group,” Riker said. “The ECAC championship was a great way to end our season.”
Fall Sports Round Up
Women’s Volleyball 16-11
At their first Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association Championship, the Brewers finished second with a 3-1 record.
Field Hockey 13-7
The team set the school record for most victories in a season with 13 wins and took third place at the Seven Sisters Tournament. Additionally, the Brewers made the finals of the Vassar-hosted Betty Richey Tournament for the first time since 1996. Coach Judy Finerghty was honored as Coach of the Year by the Upstate Collegiate Athletics Association conference.
Men’s Tennis
The team won the title at the Salve Regina Grasscourt Doubles Championships and was selected as an All-American scholar team by the UCAA, an honor that requires a squad GPA of 3.2.
Men’s Rugby 2-6
Beat Army! Well not quite, but Vassar hung tough against the West Point squad and other top competitors in its second season of Division I play.
Women’s Rugby 8-1-1
Vassar’s “A” squad finished with a third-place showing at the Northeast Rugby Union playoffs. The Brewers did not yield a try until the Metropolitan New York championship game, when Columbia scored twice. Fortunately, Vassar’s offensive capabilities match its defensive proficiency, so the Brewers were able to pick up the win.
Stephen Money '03 ran to a fifth-place finish
at the UCAA Cross Country Championship
Men’s Cross Country
The Brewers earned fifth place at the UCAA Championships. Stephen Money ’03 ran his way into being an All-UCAA selection, a distinction that goes to the top 10 finishers at the conference meet. His first-place finish at the Halloween Invitational helped Vassar garner the team title as well.
Women’s Cross Country
The team came in sixth at the UCAA Championship. Emily Loose ’03 won the womens titles at the Hawk Harrier Classic, the Halloween Invitational, and the VC Invitational. The Brewers also captured the team crown at the inaugural Hawk Harrier and Halloween events.