Dartmouth stayed undefeated in NIRA action, winning in dramatic fashion over Harvard at Harvard Saturday.

The Big Green of Dartmouth never led in this game until the final whistle, but did manage to mount an impressive comeback, scoring the game-tying try through Katelynn Walker with no time left and having Kristin Bitter hit the conversion to win it 31-29.

Harvard was impressive throughout, playing a wide open and adventurous style of rugby that is enjoyable to watch. Working to keep the ball alive and keep the defense moving, the Crimson scored early off a quick tap following a scrum infraction, and Reese Morgan was in at the corner, a try made thanks to Cameron Fields somehow batting the ball back to keep the play alive.. Dartmouth replied with a big break from flanker Nyah Cordero and quick ball out to Ariana Ramsey, who was over for her first try since coming back from injury.

Harvard took control from there. A superb fake-out and burst through the line put Tiahna Padilla through. More pressure set it up for prop Achele Agada to power over. Suddenly it was 19-5.

In the second half it seemed to be more of the same, but while Harvard was often on the front foot, the Dartmouth defense started to hang tough. This was a very physical game and several players ended up having to be wrapped up. 

Dartmouth mauled the ball over for a try to edge closer, only to see Fields torch them on the outside moments later. That made it 26-10.

Harvard was still exerting pressure by moving the ball, and with scrumhalf Cassidy Bargell often wanting to tap quickly, Dartmouth hard to scramble. But scramble they did. And then they started to claw back.

Seven Sassano rescued a fairly iffy maul by Dartmouth—too high and looking doomed to be stalled. Sassano managed to pry the ball free and dove over. Harvard looked to get one back but lock Josie Harrison intercepted the pass and galloped all the way to paydirt. Just like that it was 26-24. 

Harvard did the smart thing, getting into scoring position and, when a penalty offered itself, Brogan Mior put it over to make it a five-point game at 29-24 with about a minute to go.

Dartmouth had one more shot. Bitter blasted through and the Dartmouth forwards were quick on the ball and put everything into winning the next series of rucks. Dartmouth inched to the goalline, tried to bash it over, and then sent it wide, where Walker shoulder here way past the defender to score.

Bitter hit the conversion, and Dartmouth had won.