Harvard pushed aside an early Dartmouth try to roll powerfully to the NIRA final, beating the Big Green to make their 5th NIRA DI final in the last six seasons.
Paced by the powerful running of No. 8 Gemma Ogoke and the speed threat of Sana'a Lunon on the wing (both freshmen), the Crimson pulled away to win 45-10 and join Lindenwood in this year's final set for November 22.
Dartmouth opened the scoring with a penalty goal from Annie Henrich. Harvard responded with an excellent offload from the galloping Lunon to Maya Hilger for a try.
But Dartmouth put together a superb piece of backline play, linking together Hehea Pulotu at flyhalf, center Arielle Fotso, and center Vasiti Turagavou to put the ball over on the left side. Henrich converted briliantly and Dartmouth led 10-5.
That was their last moment of glory. Harvard would slowly, the quickly, take control.
With the scoreline still 10-5 31 minutes in, Lunon swerved her way through and that set up a charge from hooker Sophie Hayes to take her over. That got Harvard ahead 12-10. Harvard stayed on the front foot, got a penalty, tapped, and put the powerful Courtney Taylor over.
