Hanover, NH – Dartmouth opened the 2013 Ivy League campaign with a victory on home turf over the Harvard Crimson.  Captain Madison Hughes ’15 led the way with twenty-five points and despite Harvard’s late surge the Big Green went on to win by a final tally of 35-18 on Brophy Field.

The Big Green entered today’s Ivy League opener coming off a preseason schedule that featured the likes of Ontario powerhouse Queens University, Quebec champions McGill, and Middlebury among others. The Crimson proved to be another tough test.

"There were aspects of our performance that we were pleased with,” said Hughes, “but overall we thought we left a lot out on the field.  We'll be reviewing the game film and targeting certain areas where we can improve in advance of our next game."

Hughes’ try in the 30^th minute would be his first of three on the day and opened up a half marked by strong defense and penalties that had left the score at 6-3 up to that point.  Wings Brendan Cronin ’15 and Kevin Clark ’14 would each go on to notch tries of their own for Dartmouth before halftime, bringing the score to 23-3.

The defenses came out firing once again in the second stanza.  The twenty-point margin remained until the 57^th minute when Hughes raced forty meters down the left sideline, changing speeds, faking and ultimately touching the ball down in the corner of the try zone for five.  Harvard’s John Jeffers punched the ball in for a 60^th minute unconverted try, but Hughes quickly struck again cutting through the Crimson defense for his third and final try of the day just five minutes later. 

The score stood 35-8 in favor of Dartmouth, but Harvard’s 8-man Alex Cunha showed determination and muscled his way into the try zone twice before the final whistle. 

"I was impressed with the physicality of Harvard, who always provide us with tough opposition," said Dartmouth coach Gavin Hickie. 

Hickie continued, “It's great to get off to good start in the Ivy Conference and pick up a bonus point win. The players worked hard during preseason but we are still a work in progress. We have plenty to work on which we will continue to do so. Our rucking and overall contact area needs improvement."

In 2^nd XV action, Dartmouth prevailed 38-7 behind a Curtis Oberg ’16 hat trick and great passing from fullback Tyler Moragne ’14. 

The Big Green take on Yale next Saturday in New Haven at 1:00 before returning home on Sep. 28^th to face Brown.

Scoring Summary

First Half

2:00 - Penalty Kick, Dartmouth (Madison Hughes) 3-0
8:00 - Penalty Kick, Harvard (Will Collins) 3-3
18:00 - Penalty Kick, Dartmouth (Madison Hughes) 6-3
30:00 - Converted Try, Dartmouth (Madison Hughes) 13-3
32:00 - Try, Dartmouth (Brendan Cronin)  18-3
39:00 - Try, Dartmouth (Kevin Clark) 23-3
Halftime Score: Dartmouth 23, Havard 3

Second Half

57:00 - Try, Dartmouth (Madison Hughes) 28-3
60:00 - Try, Harvard (John Jeffers) 28-8
65:00 - Converted Try, Dartmouth (Madison Hughes) 35-8
71:00 - Try, Harvard (Alex Cunha) 35-13
79:00 - Try, Harvard (Alex Cunha) 35-18
Final Score: Dartmouth 35, Harvard 18