GRR: Bowdoin
The National Intercollegiate Rugby Association crowned their champions Saturday at Harvard's Mignone Field, with DI, DII, and DIII winners celebrated.
This coming Saturday's NIRA Finals Day matchups are now set after this weekend's semifinals.
Here's what happened:
Harvard and DartmouthHarvard defeated Sacred Heart in impressive fashion 60-5. Sophomore Lennox London scored three tries to lead the Crimson.
Bowdoin College women's rugby Head Coach MaryBeth Mathews has announced that she will retire at the conclusion of this academic year. Mathews has enjoyed a 29-year tenure at the helm of the program, guiding the women's rugby team at Bowdoin from club to varsity status during her distinguished career.
Bowdoin took the NIRA Women's DIII Championship Saturday in a 29-0 shutout of University of New England, but don't let the scoreline fool you, it was a tough slog for the Polar Bears.
Held at Dartmouth College's Burham Field in Hanover, NH, the DIII final was played in cold but sunny conditions, ideal for a team that wanted to move quickly. The game was shown live on ESPN+.
Reactions to finishing 2nd in NIRA had a story all their own: there was the steadfast stoicism of Army, the tearful regret of West Chester and … for University of New England … joy.
UNE had endured their struggles through the season, and while they hoped and played to win, knew that it would be an enormous uphill battle against Bowdoin. So 2nd place? Heck yeah!