In a game that lived up to the hype, Harvard defeated Dartmouth to win the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association DI varsity championship.
Paced by two tries from wing Lennox London and one from flyhalf and game MVP Brogan Mior, the Crimson won thanks to an adventurous attacking style and a determined goalline defense that made Dartmouth work enormously hard for their points.
The kicking game was hugely important but for the most part both sides were up to the challenge.
Where the battle was certain enjoined was the contact area. Both sides found it difficult to work through multiple phases because the collisions and the speed of defenders over the ball forced several turnovers.
For the most part Harvard was more likely to play with width, and Dartmouth was a little more methodical with their attack. Harvard had the majority of ball early on while Dartmouth kept them bottled up in their half. Playing against the wind Harvard was able to go by ground to get to midfield, and there Dartmouth's Hehea Pulotu was penalized and yellow-carded by referee KAt Roche for an intentional knock-on.
A little extra space was all Harvard needed. A little break from Mior and then from flanker Jara Emtage-Cave got the Crimson closer and then the ball was snapped out wide to London who burst here way to the corner—5-0 Harvard.
Much of the rest of the half saw Dartmouth work their way toward scoring chances. Harvard found themselves defending their tryline and did superbly, forcing a couple of knock-ons and making crucial tackles.
Eventually, as halftime approached, Dartmouth finally work the ball over. No. 8 Cindy Taulava, who has emerged as a key carrier for the Big Green, scored the try, and Abbey Savin converted to give Harvard a 7-5 lead.
But how a team responds in times like this is a measure of a good team. As halftime approached, Mior sliced through a gap and fended off a couple of defenders to cruise in just before the break. That made it 10-7.
