The Dartmouth men's water polo team won its fourth Collegiate Water Polo Association New England Division Championship in six years last weekend. Defeating Williams 10-8 in the finals continued the Big Green's undefeated record in 2001 CWPA play. Yale placed third. The victory advances Dartmouth to the national championships November 9-11 at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
As in previous tournaments this season, a well-balanced and coordinated team effort throughout the championship made Dartmouth's triumph possible. Eleven of the Big Green's 12 field players scored at least one goal. Chris Haffenreffer '03 and two-time CWPA New England Player of the Week Ryan Goldhahn '04 led the team with eight goals each. Matt Derr '04, Ross Markwort '04 and Nick Chukiat '05 scored five goals apiece.
Hours of conditioning and practice produced a tournament total of 42 goals for Dartmouth, while a tight defense permitted opponents to score a total of only 14.
The near capacity crowd that watched the championship game against Williams included a large and vocal fan contingent that had traveled from Southern California, Missouri, Connecticut, and Hanover to cheer for the Big Green.
This will be the Big Green's fifth participation in water polo's National Collegiate Club Championships in the past seven years.
Dartmouth won the national championship in 1997.
