Dartmouth Women Take 3rd in NRU, 17-15 over Cornell

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Heading to nationals by capturing the 3rd NRU seed is Dartmouth, after a 17-15 win over Cornell.

"It was a dog fight," Dartmouth coach Deb Archambault said. "Both teams were holding nothing back and really wanted that third seed to Nationals."

Cornell went up 10-0 on a converted try and penalty before Dartmouth no. 8 Virginia Roach dotted down for the team's lone try of the half, 10-5 into the break. Cornell answered straightaway with another five-pointer before giving up two Dartmouth tries to inside center Meg Thorn and captain Kristen Liu, the second of which occurred with four minutes remaining. With the score tied at 15 all, flyhalf Valerie Hanson drop-kicked the winning conversion.

"Dartmouth has spent much of this season with several starters hurt or sick for each of their matches," Archambault said, "and even this weekend, with most of our players back, they were not up to full fitness levels because of their injuries. We're looking forward to working hard this winter and to becoming the team we have the potential to become this spring."