Top Dogs Keep Barking in Liberty D1
Top Dogs Keep Barking in Liberty D1
Brown University and Dartmouth both moved to 3-0 in the Liberty NCR D1 with convincing wins over the weekend.
Dartmouth was facing a 2-0 AIC team that showed the ability to score points from all over the field, but also hadn't faced a defense of quite the caliber of the Big Green. Despite being 2-0 AIC, with a new Head Coach, are still finding their way, and that was evident as a more experienced and polished Dartmouth side beat the YellowJackets 55-24.
Flyhalf Ethan Knight was outstanding for Dartmouth and his ability to turn the field around ensured that AIC had a long way to go in order to score. Lock Grayson Segars led the lineout and was a thorn in the side of the YellowJackets when it was their throw-in.
"It was a great showing from the team overall and another step forward as we continue to learn and build on our previous performances," said Dartmouth Head Coach Kyle Sumsion. "The team is looking forward to a bye week and another big challenge as we take on Brown."
Unfortunately they might have to play that game without vice captain and scrumhalf Rocky Dutta, who picked up a red card late in the match.
Brown, meanwhile, will have a game between now and Dartmouth, as they face another Ivy League rival in Harvard. The Crimson lose a close on 30-23 to Fordham over the weekend. Brown, meanwhile, controlled the story over Iona to the tune of 65-5.
"I was pleased that we're improving steadily over the last three weeks," said Head Coach David LaFlamme. "We had eight players in our starting 23 who did not play for us last fall. But the important thing is we're not looking ahead of what's next. We are improving week over week and we want to do that against Harvard."
Marco Lapierre was excellent on the wing as usual for the Bears, and in the centers Tito Edjua continues to make plays. Holy Cross transfer Matt Schwab has become a force at No. 8.
Brown is thinking NCR championship, and the pieces are falling into place. However, there are some tough teams to get through.
Meanwhile, Fairfield beat a very capable Syracuse side in a tight one 35-28. Both teams are now 1-1.
Fairfield hosted Syracuse after its bye, and Syracuse was fresh off a 27-0 win over Fordham. Syracuse is an entirely different team that has reloaded with excellent recruits.
Thomas Morales scored two tries for Fairfield, both off driving mauls close to the Syracuse goalline. Brady Thompson kept Syracuse in the game with his foot, both goalkicking and in the territorial battle. Patrick McHale was equal to the task with his foot and game management, and he found the try zone himself for Fairfield. Prop transfer Luke Boals barreled his way in for a try for the Stags and Cassius Grimes, a freshman from Loyola HS Los Angeles scored for Fairfield off a Henry Novicki line break.
Syracuse stayed in the fight with two late scores, but the Stags held on to even their record at 1-1.
So that leaves the standings as follows after three weeks:
| NCR D1 | W | L | T | PA | PA | PD | BT | BL | Pts |
| Dartmouth | 3 | 0 | 0 | 186 | 31 | 155 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Brown | 3 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 18 | 114 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| AIC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 113 | 108 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Syracuse | 1 | 1 | 0 | 55 | 35 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Fairfield | 1 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 52 | -14 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Fordham | 1 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 118 | -81 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Harvard | 0 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 93 | -70 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Iona | 0 | 2 | 0 | 43 | 127 | -84 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Siena | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 70 | -45 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
