The surprises keep coming in NIRA DI as a couple of teams made statements this weekend.
Lions Caught Crimson-Handed
Lindenwood made the trip to Massachusetts and were defeated by two-time defending champs Harvard 26-17.
Freshman Sana'a Lunon has started brilliantly and she opened the scoring in this game with her fourth try of the season, racing down the touchline to put Harvard up 5-0.
On the ensuing restart, the Crimson failed to secure possession and Lindenwood surged on, setting up a try for Gabby Bryant. Gianna Diaz converted for a 7-5 Lindenwood lead.
The Crimson responded. Off a pass from Victoria Stanley, Lunon powered through to score her second. Lindenwood worked hard to regain the lead but despite some intense pressure Harvard's defense held. Finally Courtney Taylor crashed over, and Skylar Jordan's conversion made it 19-7. Harvard kept at it and looked to put their fourth try over in the first half. But Lindenwood defended doggedly to keep it 19-7 at halftime.
Lindenwood started strong and got a try from Millie Gibson. That pulled the Lions within a score at 19-12. But midway through the second half Harvard pulled away when captain and center Tiahna Padilla set up wing Lennox London, who got away from a tackler and was in. Jordan converted and it was 26-12.
The Lions didn't fold and He'Lena Dou'Ble scored with seven minutes left to make it 26-17. But Harvard held on. Lindenwood will rue that slow start and Harvard did well to exploit it.
Dartmouth Keeps Pace
A week after a massive win over Quinnipiac, Dartmouth moved to 2-0 with a 52-7 victory over Navy.
Dartmouth got tries from Katelyn Walker, Annie Henrich, and Paola Arredondo Almeida, with two Henrich conversions to take a 19-0 before Navy got on the board. The teams changed ends with Dartmouth up 19-7.
Right after the break Cindy Taulava thundered over, and that was followed by tries from Jordynn LeBeau, Marley Larkin, Arredondo Almeida, and Sierra Santiago. Hehea Pulotu added a conversion and Arielle Fotso added three.
This was the first time that Dartmouth and Navy had faced off as NIRA teams.
