Dartmouth women in first home match win 55-0 against Cornell

Soggy weather did not dampen the spirit of players and fans as Dartmouth Women (2-1) took on Cornell (2-2) in the Big Green’s first home league match of the fall.

The deteriorating weather conditions made for a slippery rugby ball, and backs from both sides struggled with handling. The Dartmouth forwards kept the team moving down Brophy Field with tough running and great ball protection in the rucks.  

The DWRC got on the board at 7 minutes, when outside center Audrey Perez ‘17 sliced through the Big Red tackle line after Dartmouth worked its way down the pitch from their own defensive zone. Michaela Conway ’15 converted the try to bring the score to 7-0. Perez got a hard-earned assist on the DWRC’s second try with a break-out 70 meter run through multiple tacklers and quick pass to Dartmouth backs Captain Diana Wise’15, who put it down for 5. Cornell tried to kick their way out of trouble throughout the match, but the Big Green answered with well-played counterattacks. Perez’s second of 4 tries came at the end of a 30 meter run that began with a successful high-ball catch and delivery by Tatjana Toeldte ’16. Conway added another 2 on the conversion, bringing the score to 19-0.

Speedster Kerry Ann Conlin ’16 rounded out the first half scoring at 27 minutes with a 40 meter dash through gaps in the Cornell defensive wall as the DWRC continued adjusting to the difficult passing conditions. Cornell, showing their signature grit and aggression, dug in defensively and kept the Big Green scoreless for the last 13 minutes of the first half.

The Dartmouth Women got back on track in the second 40 and continue their running attack when Perez broke free for her third try of the match after an impressive 40 meter vertical attack by the Big Green forwards. More accurate kicking by Michaela Conway ’15 brought the score to 31-0. The Dartmouth forwards continued to condense the Cornell defense and provide quality ball to the backline. Flyhalf Charlotte Knott ’15 scored on a looping support run and Tatjana Toeldte ‘16 slotted the conversion kick for a score of 38-0. Perez got her 4th try on a kick and chase recovery, but Dartmouth was not yet done. 

Wise’s second try of the match came when she turned the corner on a wing out wide after a composed team assault. Conlin dotted down her second score of the match bringing the score to 48-0. In the last and one of the most exciting tries Toeldte fed flanker Yejadai Dunn ‘16 blasting through on the inside gap, who in turn quickly fed wing Karampreet “Peety” Kaur ’15  for the score out wide. Toeldte put the last points on the board with her conversion bringing the final score to 55-0 Dartmouth Women.

The second match of the day was another season-first as the Dartmouth Second Side kicked off their inaugural match. Players from the Class of ‘18 poured onto the field with the same enthusiasm as the rain, now coming down in full force. Head Coach Deb Archambault stepped up as referee and senior players provided the mentoring for the new recruits. At half the game, though entertaining, was scoreless, as both Cornell and Dartmouth rookies mounted an aggressive defense and possession in the extreme conditions went back and forth. Cornell broke loose out wide for the lone try of the game as the second half got underway. Final score was 7-0 Cornell. Congratulations to all of the 18’s playing in their first match…welcome to rugby!

After the matches, 90 plus people (players, coaches, and few remaining die-hard, soaked fans) filled the Deevy Room to warm up, dry off, and enjoy an extraordinary hot, fresh taco bar prepared by DWRC Social Director Lizzy Jones ’17 and her team of helpers from the DWRC Class of ’18.