Rutgers, Vassar, and Hofstra are all 2-0 in the Women’s DII Tri-State Conference, all with impressive victories in the first couple of weekends.

Certainly there’s a big difference between the top teams and the lower teams in the conference, and it seems that all three 2-0 programs are in the top group.

Rutgers followed up last week’s 82-0 defeat of Fairfield with a similar shutout this weekend against Molloy, 88-0.

Vassar, meanwhile, got two tries from center Cierra Thomas and two from hooker Kathleen Gould in an impressive 37-5 defeat of rivals Marist.

Marist pushed hard in the first 25 minutes or so, but some big cover tackles kept them off the scoresheet. This was a turnaround from last year, when Marist put on 50 points on Vassar. But the Brewers battled through, held onto a slim lead going into halftime, and then broke it open in the second half, looking the fitter team.

And Hofstra slammed Stony Brook 62-15 to go to 2-0.

“We have a good nucleus of players,” said Hofstra Head Coach Paul Babminelli. “We had a strong group f freshmen last year and they are coming along as sophomores. Their experience has allowed us now to start breaking down training sessions and focus on how we handle specific game situations rather than this is how we pass and catch.”

Leading the way is an impressive back line, with the very talented center Kim Tran having scored six tries in the last two games being a big part of it. Center Brittany Branch and flyhalf Kalyn Ragonese have also tested defenses, while scrumhalf Ange Innis getting the ball moving.

Hofstra might be a year away, but that’s only because they are young. It could be, with the way they’ve started, that year is here.

Tri-State Scores:
Hofstra 62-15 Stony Brook
Vassar 37-5 Marist
Rutgers 88-0 Molloy
Sacred Heart 39-10 Fairfield
Fordham 110-0 Drew
SUNY New Paltz 28-0 Bard