Patrick Sheehy, Jack Badenhausen and Oliver Engelhart will run the Big Green’s attack, getting running help from Luke Bienstock and Steven Hinshaw. Mason Koch and Sean Dowling anchor the scrum, and Struan Coleman has been integral in grabbing possession of the ball out of restarts and lineouts this season.
Hanover — The Dartmouth College men’s rugby team will hit the pitch in its first national 15s championship visit in 30 years when it takes on the University of Mary Washington in the USA Rugby Division I-AA title match this afternoon at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium.
The Big Green reached the final as champions of the Ivy League last fall before rolling through USA Rugby’s spring playoffs last month. The Big Green recorded wins over Missouri (35-10) and Central Florida (83-0) at the University of Kansas on April 7-8, then defeated Nevada (60-20) at East Carolina University on April 21 to book its spot in today’s title match.
Mary Washington won its berth through playoffs last fall. The Eagles recorded victories over Rowan, Kentucky and St. Joseph’s to advance.
Dartmouth is no stranger to success, having won Ivy fifteen-a-side honors 11 years running and having claimed USA Rugby’s collegiate sevens championship twice this decade. The Big Green (11-5) steeled itself for nationals with a spring schedule that included Division I-A foes such as Army, Navy and California, the latter of which will be playing for I-A national honors this weekend at Cal State Fullerton as well.
“As a program, we are excited to get a shot at a national championship,” Dartmouth coach James Willocks said in a news release. “This is a testament to all the hours of hard work that all the members have put in. We are proud to contribute to the legacy that is Dartmouth rugby.”