Showcase Matches Live up to Billing in NIRA DI
Showcase Matches Live up to Billing in NIRA DI
The big matchups in NIRA did not disappoint.
Dartmouth remains undefeated after beating Sacred Heart 43-29. SHU came into the game 2-0 in conference play; they lost last week to AIC but with a younger-than-usual lineup.
So really this was a game of two teams with strong playoff aspirations and it had the feel of a playoff game in many ways.
The Pioneers took an early lead when Samantha Melvin went over in the 4th minute, with Reese Torticill converting.
But Dartmouth responded; Cindy Taulava blocked a kick and chase it down to score, and right after Olivia Lyman's try put the Big Green ahead 10-7.
Back came Sacred Heart with Caroline Woelfel going over to put her side back in front. But Abygail Lambert had an answer for Dartmouth. Annie Henrich's conversion made it 17-12.
This game continued to be a punch-counterpunch match. SHU tied it up when Charlotte Dauser capped off a forwards drive, and then as halftime approached Dartmouth's Reece Moody stole the Sacred Heart lineout and that set up a try for Vasiti Turagavou. Henrich converted and it was 24-17.
But there was more rugby to be played and more time in the half. Rose Torticil's try nudged SHU to within two points, but on the final play of the half, Henrich sped over to made it 29-22 at the break.
Dartmouth was able to pull away a bit in the second half after a first half which saw six lead changes.
After a 20-minute scoreless period, Arielle Fotso's try, with a Henrich conversion, gave Dartmouth some breaking room at 36-22. SHU answered, of course, with Olivia Woods charging through to make it a one-score game again at 36-29. But as time frittered away and SHU looked to get that final, game-tying try, Marley Larkin was in for Dartmouth and, with Henrich's conversion, the Big Green had won it 43-29.
So this was obviously a close game, but really it was much closer than that.
Meanwhile, a 2-1 Army took on 2-0 Harvard, who had already beaten Lindenwood.
Army opened the game with an early converted try but Harvard's Cameron Fields, back from injury, looked very elusive with a jinky run in for her first try in her first game back. Ava Ference converted to tie it up.
The Black Knights scored again and then added an Alissa Eisenhart penalty for a 17-7 lead. Eisenhart, who is also the team captain, bring an extra dimension to Army's toolbox with her accurate goalkicking. And when Skylar Jordan broke through and around the Army defense for a try, it was Eisenhart who calmly slotted another kick to give her side a 20-12 lead at halftime.
But Harvard made some adjustments. Ference was in for another, this time off a scrum move. Then Jojo Mignone sped down the sideline to put the Crimson ahead for the first time at 22-20.
Army wasn't done, and they regained the lead with a try and another Eisenhart conversion. Army now led 27-22.
But in the 68th minute the Crimson got it wide to wing Lennox London, and she sidestepped back inside and cut through to score the game-winner from long range.
Ference, who had a big day, slotted the conversion and added a penalty late to ice it.
Both of these games were as good and you're going to see in the women's collegiate game.
Also this weekend, Navy beat LIU in a battle of two 1-2 teams, so Navy moves up to 2-2. Lindenwood improves to 3-1 with a 64-0 shutout of Quinnipiac.
