The women’s rugby team continued its undefeated season, picking up its eighth win of the season against Brown University on Nov. 16. The 47-33 win at Brophy Field sends the Big Green to the Division I Championship against Harvard University onNov. 23 at Hanover’s Burnham Field.
Saturday’s victory was Dartmouth’s second win against Brown this season. The Big Green previously defeated the Bears 60-19 on Nov. 2 at Brophy Field. Head coach Kathryn Dowty called the first match-up “one of the best games” the team had played this season. This weekend’s semifinal face-off, however, was a more physical battle, according to players and coaches.
“Everyone wants to make it to that final championship, so both teams played with a lot of passion,” center Annie Henrich ’28 said. “That was shown by how hard-hitting it was. It was a lot of fun.”
Dowty added that roster changes also affected the competition. She explained that some Brown players who had not played in the previous match were “huge difference-makers” in the semifinals.
“We fully expected this game to be much tougher than the last time we played them,” Dowty said.
On Saturday, Henrich opened the scoring with a diving try and conversion early in the first half to give the Big Green a 7-0 lead. Just a few minutes later, she repeated with her second try of the match to make it 14-0 Dartmouth.
Brown found the try zone soon after, tightening the Big Green’s lead to 14-7. Lock Cindy Taulava ’27 answered right back with a try of her own, taking down two Brown defenders to get into the zone. The first half ended with Dartmouth leading 26-14.
Prop Jordynn LeBeau ’28 picked up her first career try early in the second half, with Henrich scoring the conversion to extend the Big Green’s lead to 33-14. Brown answered with another try, but a pass and power from lock Katija Crawford ’28 put Dartmouth in the try zone once again as it pulled away from Brown with a 40-21 lead.
The Big Green’s first-year players have played an integral role in the team’s success this season, according to Dowty.
“We have some young players that are really starting to peak at the right time,” Dowty said.
Practice has also paid off. In the semifinal, the players applied the skills they have been honing in practices on the field, Taulava said.
“We were practicing our double tackles, and this game, we really showed them,” she said.
Looking forward, the Big Green will face Harvard for the second time this season at the NIRA Division I Championship. Dartmouth previously defeated Harvard 26-19 on Oct. 12, the Crimson’s only loss of its 6-1-1 season.
According to Dowty, the October match was Dartmouth’s “lowest penalty count of the season.” She said she wants the team to continue “being really disciplined” in this way in the championship game next Saturday.
For some seniors, the match against Brown was their last on Brophy Field, Dartmouth’s rugby pitch, as the championship game will be held on Hanover’s Burnham Field. While the seniors are nearing the end of their time on the team, both Dowty and Henrich highlighted their leadership over the past year.
“The seniors are great leaders,” Henrich said. “They have taught us so much.”
According to Henrich, the team is feeling “confident, but not cocky” as it looks to the championship game.
“We are thrilled to be moving on no matter what,” Dowty added. “Going into the national championship at home — it is so exciting.”
Brendan Meyers ’28 contributed to reporting.
