Eagle Times Staff
The Big Green and the Crimson meet for the fourth time in two seasons on Saturday, Nov. 18, battling in the NIRA Final for the second year in a row. Harvard claimed this year’s regular season meeting to snap Dartmouth’s three-match win streak within the rivalry, dating back to the start of the 2021 season.
All-time series
Dartmouth is 12-4 all-time against Harvard. The two sides first met as varsity programs in 2015 and it wasn’t until 2018 that the Crimson earned their first win over the Big Green. Harvard has never won back-to-back matches over Dartmouth, which bodes well for the folks from Hanover, who suffered a last-second regular season loss last month. This is the third time Dartmouth has faced Harvard in the championship match. Previous meetings include 2018 and 2022 and the Big Green won both.
Last year’s final
In front of a sold-out Burnham Field crowd, Dartmouth earned its third championship with a 15-10 victory over Harvard. The Crimson had a 5-3 lead midway through the first half, but MVP Ariana Ramsey turned on the jets for two tries that allowed the Big Green to grind out a 15-10 triumph.
Expect more from Taulava
First-year standout Cindy Taulava needed less than one half of play to score three tries in the NIRA Semifinal against Quinnipiac. Look for more Taulava on Saturday since she scored a pair of tries against Harvard during the regular season.
Program history
Dartmouth’s 115-point explosion at Princeton two weeks ago broke the program’s record for points in a single match. It was the second time Dartmouth has hit triple digits since gaining varsity status. The Big Green defeated Columbia, 110-0, during the 2016 season and that still stands as the largest margin of victory in program history.
Get ready for a close one
Four of the last five matches between Dartmouth and Harvard have been decided by one score (5 points or fewer). The only outlier is the 2021 regular season meeting, which the Big Green won 45-31.
How Harvard got here
Harvard dominated Sacred Heart, 60-5, in the semifinal with eight different players finding the try zone. The undefeated Crimson have outscored their opponents 420-65 entering Saturday’s final.
Action-packed day
The Division I match is preceded by the Division III Championship (Bowdoin vs. Adrian at 11 a.m.) and the Division II final (Davenport vs. Lander at 1:30 p.m.)
Fast facts
MATCH 9: NIRA CHAMPIONSHIP
Record: Dartmouth (6-2) vs. Harvard (8-0)
Date and Time: Saturday, Nov. 18 | 4 p.m.
Location: Cambridge, MA | Mignone Field
All-Time Series: 12-4
Last Meeting: Oct. 21, 2023 (L, 19-17)
Where to Stream: ESPN+
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