Photo courtesy Central Washington University Athletics
The National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) held its quarterfinals Saturday, and now Dartmouth, Quinnipiac, Central Washington and Harvard remain in the title hunt.
RELATED: NIRA Home Page • NIRA Individual Points Scored List • Women’s Rugby Scores: Nov. 10-12
HARVARD 24-12 ARMY
The most competitive quarterfinal of the weekend occurred at the Anderson Rugby Complex at West Point. The Crimson established a 7-0 lead in the 22nd minute, thanks to a try from Caitlin Weigel and a Jenny Kronish conversion, and remained out front for the entirety of the match. Kronish, Sabrina Kim and Robyn Beese added Harvard tries. Rebecca Stipp and Kaitlyn Lewis scored for Army, and Eleanor Burnett added the conversion. Read more.
QUINNIPIAC 55-7 NORWICH
Norwich scored its try just before halftime, as Amber Kelly dotted down and Sheila Decker converted, cutting Quinnipiac’s lead to 24-7. But the Bobcats added 31 more points in the second half for the convincing win. Ilona Maher, Flora Poole and Tayler Schussler scored two tries apiece, while Mikah Maples, Rebecca Haight and Emily Roskopf also scored. Maggie Wesolowski kicked five conversions. Read more.
DARTMOUTH 80-12 AIC
Freshman Lilly Durbin led with five tries in Dartmouth’s quarterfinal win over AIC. Frankie Sands and Becca Jane Rosko scored two tries apiece, while Marin Pennell, Berit DeGrandpre, Danielle Ramsay, Milla Anderson and Rachel Hand scored a try each. Kat Ramage (4) and Alex Stendahl handled the conversions. Kayla Hunkin Clark scored the Yellow Jackets’ two tries. Read more.
SEMIFINALS
Central Washington was seeded third for the post-season and thus earned a bye through the quarterfinals – a condition that had been circulated to member teams and ended up impacting #8 Notre Dame College. On Friday, the Wildcats will face Quinnipiac, the final four host, for the third time this fall. During the two previous games, the home team prevailed by single digits.
Friday will also mark the third time that Dartmouth and Harvard have played each other this year in 15s. The Big Green won both matches, the most recent victory a 22-8 decision for the Ivy League title.
Friday, Nov. 17 (Eastern)
10 a.m. Quinnipiac vs. Central Washington
1 p.m. Dartmouth vs. Harvard
Sunday, Nov. 19 Championship