Dartmouth, Harvard, Hang Tough to Make NIRA D-I Final
Dartmouth, Harvard, Hang Tough to Make NIRA D-I Final
For the third year in a row it will be Dartmouth vs Harvard in the Women's NIRA D-I final.
Both teams won their semifinals on Saturday.
Two weeks after beating Brown by over 40, Dartmouth faced Brown again and much more difficulty shaking their Ivy League rivals. Brown did well to rebound from a strong Dartmouth start, but they did end up chasing the Big Green.
Two tries from flyhalf Annie Henrich, both of which she converted, staked Dartmouth to a 14-0 lead. Brown answered with Lily Nowak going over (Julia Murray converting) and it was 14-7.
But Dartmouth kind of took control after that with Cindy Taulava powered over and Asialeata Meni raced in. Henrich converted that first one and it was 26-7. Brown did get one back before the halftime break—that was crucial for them—as Akilah Cathey scored. Murray's conversion and the teams changed ends at 26-14.
This was a classic case of who needed to score next, and it was Dartmouth. Jordynn LeBeau's try and Henrich's conversion made it a three-score lead for the Big Green Brown answered through Elizabeth Mahoney. But once again Dartmouth kept Brown at arm's length. Katija Crawford's try was followed by a try by Genie Dickens for Brown.
Time was not Brown's friend here with the score 40-26, and Katie Hansen's try (Henrich nailing her sixth out of seven conversions) ensured there would be no comeback. Mahoney scored her second for Brown at the end of the game.
One of the features of NIRA over the last few years is the improvement in goalkicking throughout the league. Henrich was 6-for-7 and took her personal tally to 22 points. Murray was 4-for-5.
Harvard weathered an early deficit to hold off a tenacious Army side 26-19 to make the final.
Chloe De Leon's try staked Army to a 5-0 lead in the first few minutes, but good pressure from Harvard and hands down the line opened up space for Lennox London to equalize. This was London's 17th try of the season, a new Harvard varsity record. It was more of the same for the second Harvard try, this time the forwards consolidated inside the Army 22 and this time it was just a couple of passes until Chloe Headland burst through to score.
Gabby Woenker kept the Black Knights in the game, finishing a full team push to go in near the posts. Alissa Eisenhart converted and it was 14-12 at halftime.
Like the other semifinal, it was clear the first score in the second half would be important, and Harvard got it, An excellent maul off the lineout just rolled Army back and Carly Lehman touched it down without too much trouble. Victoria Stanley followed that up with an interception to make it 26-12. Army scored late, through Cecilis Ollis but it was too far for the Black Knights.
"It's great for the growth of the game to see NIRA games getting more competitive and the women’s game being played at this level," said Harvard Head Coach Mel Denham. "Army is a strong team and one that we know can bring the fight for 80 minutes, especially in post season play. We prepared for that and were up for that battle, which I am proud of. I think we capitalized on opportunities and covered their threats, but after two bye-weekends off from playing, we also had to dust off a few cobwebs and find our rhythm again."
Harvard has had several close games this season—this was the fifth such contest that was decided by a try or less. Those difficult games have hardened the Crimson's tenacity.
"Having close games this year has been a reminder of how resilient we are as a team," said Denham. "That brings a lot of confidence to the team in terms of knowing what we are capable of under pressure and in game changing moments. So we are excited for one more week together to build on this performance going into the championship."
Since 2018 the NIRA champion has either been Dartmouth or Harvard, with Dartmouth taking the title in 2018, 2021, and 2022, while Harvard won in 2019 and 2023 (no season held in 2020). These two teams met October 12 in Cambridge and it was a 26-19 Dartmouth win. In a week it will be in Hanover and then ... who knows?
