POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Bowdoin College women's rugby team saw its season come to an end on Sunday in the quarterfinals of the USA Rugby Division II tournament, losing its first match of the fall 15-10 to Vassar.

The Polar Bears close out their season with a record of 9-1. Vassar advances to the national semifinals in South Carolina in two weeks.

How It Happened

• Bowdoin took an early lead thanks to an Addison Carvajal try, 5-0, seven minutes into the contest
• Vassar slowed the match down, keeping the ball in close, resulting in Bowdoin penalties that helped to maintain possession
• Vassar scored a forwards try and then added another ten minutes later to take a 10-5 lead at halftime
• The Polar Bears rebounded in the second half, but couldn't break through Vassar's defensive unit
• A yellow card against Bowdoin resulted in the Polar Bears playing down a player for ten minutes but the defense held strong, keeping Vassar off the scoreboard during that stretch
• Vassar was able to break through again with 15 minutes remaining, extending the lead to 15-5
• Bowdoin answered with their best possession of the match, driving downfield for a try by Paige Pfannenstiel, who powered her way through two defenders for a diving score with just moments remaining
• In addition to tries by Carvajal and Pfannenstiel, Bowdoin got outstanding play from Anna Piotti, Cristina Lima and Emily King in the loss