slide 1

NOTE: Only paying subscribers have access to locked content. LEARN MORE.

NIRA Final: Quinnipiac v Dartmouth

  • 17 Nov 2017
  • 393 Views

Quinnipiac’s Flora Poole / Photo: Donna Doherty

The third National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) national championship will be decided between Dartmouth College and two-time reigning Quinnipiac University. The duo entered the post-season ranked #1 and #2, respectively, and won their semifinals today in Hamden, Conn.

Quinnipiac and Central Washington contested the first semifinal and saw the visitors take a 26-14 lead into the third quarter. The Wildcats used their forwards in tight more, employing pick-and-goes before exploring the space out wide. Ashley Rolsma, Sui A’au and Jenny Johnson were among the try-scorers, while Emma Leonard kicked the extras.

Conversely, Quinnipiac rarely attacked through the one channel and preferred to move the ball away from the contact area. The wind affected some handling.

The Wildcats defense marked Ilona Maher, and that attention helped free up Mikah Maples, who had the wheels to finish off two longer-range tries. Rebecca Haight was also able to score. Maher herself added three tries, including one that originated from a dropped ball kicked off the ground and into the on-rushing center’s hands. Much like senior herself, once Quinnipiac started gaining momentum and scoring points, they came quickly.

Even as Quinnipiac retook the lead, Central Washington wasn’t out of the game, but a crucial error saw the Wildcats’ spirits sink. With minutes remaining, goal kicker Maggie Wesolowski lined up an off-center penalty, and the kick sailed wide, keeping the score at 31-26 to Quinnipiac. But then the play was recalled, and Wesolowski did not err on the second attempt. Those three points made it a two-score game, 34-26. Just as Central Washington was processing the situation, Maher returned the restart for a converted try, 41-26.

READ QUINNIPIAC’S RECAP OF THE SEMIFINAL

Dartmouth’s Lilly Durbin / Photo: Donna Doherty

The wind was certainly the 16th player on the pitch today, and it stifled some attacking campaigns in the Dartmouth vs. Harvard semifinal that followed. That said, the Crimson were certainly ready to produce an upset on the day. After a penalty kick from Dartmouth scrumhalf Kat Ramage, the majority of the second quarter was played deep in the Big Green’s half. Harvard’s scrum was the highlight, but it couldn’t manufacture any points against a solid Dartmouth defense.

The third quarter saw Dartmouth connect out wide better, and Lilly Durbin and Frankie Sands combined for a fast-paced 2-on-1 for the game’s first score. Flyhalf Camille Johnson added a try that Ramage converted, and Dartmouth led 17-0.

Much to online viewers’ dismay, the live-stream cut out as Harvard mounted its comeback. Two tries from All-American Caitlin Weigel and a conversion brought Harvard to within a try, 17-12, but there the game ended.

READ DARTMOUTH’S RECAP OF THE SEMIFINAL

On Sunday at 2 p.m Eastern, Quinnipiac and Dartmouth will contest the 3rd NIRA national championship. The finalists last met 10 weeks ago in their regular-season opener, and Dartmouth prevailed 22-17. Watch the livestream at The Rugby Channel (subscription needed).

NIRA Quinnipiac Dartmouth

Leave a Reply