Brown Women 41, Dartmouth 12

The Brown women opened Ivy Rugby Conference play with a decisive win over Dartmouth. Led by co-captains Chelsea Garber '12 and Blair Station '12 Brown worked hard to secure ball, disorganize and get behind the Dartmouth defense.

Although Brown's Chelsea Garber and her veteran-speckled backline had a tough time containing or breaking through Dartmouth's powerful centers (Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13 and Sabrina Amaro '13) they took full advantage of Garber's powerful boot as they kicked their way into scoring position and finished with speedy wings.

All-American Shakeela Faulkner '12 opened the scoring 8 minutes in breaking free from the 22 and scoring in the corner, Chelsea Garber converted and Brown was up 7-0. All-American wing Blaine Martin '11.5 scored next outracing the Dartmouth defense for a try in the corner. Blaine and Shak traded scores throughout the first half as Chelsea Garber used her kicking to put the ball deep into Dartmouth's half forcing Dartmouth to scramble to maintain their defensive organization - a tough job against Browns speed and organization. The Brown scrum dominated the much larger Dartmouth pack winning much of the set pieces and setting nice rucking platforms for scrum half Blair Station. The first half ended with Brown comfortably up 29-0.

Dartmouth closed the first half with a strong offensive drive after a Brown penalty, and although time ran out before they found the tryline,  it was the beginning of more inspired play by the Big Green.

Brown made a few changes in the second half and came out determined to stay on the front foot. Dartmouth's forwards, led by Captain Theresa Cassano '12,  dominated the opening of the second half with long vertical attacks culminating in successful driving mauls, where powerful young props Mayowa Willoughby '14 and Jovalee Thompson '14 overwhelmed the smaller Bear forwards.

Brown pressured Dartmouth from the kick-off but 2 penalties allowed Dartmouth to set up in the Brown 40. The Big Green #11 Rita-Louise Montour '13 capped off the first march down the field with a try on the outside by breaking 2 tackles and raced in to put Dartmouth on the board.

Despite Dartmouth's much improved defensive organization, moments later Brown struck back scoring the 'try of the match'. Chelsea Garber sold a beautiful fake on her inside to a charging Lucy Fernandez '14 and hit center Laurel Oldershaw '14 streaking through for the score. Chelsea converted and Brown never looked back.

In the last 10 minutes of the match flanker Elizabeth Stanicoff '12 blocked a kick into the Dartmouth end goal, captain Blair Station fell on the ball for a 41-5 Brown lead.

Late in the second half, Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13 score on one of her many long breaks up the middle and dotted her own try.

Despite the 41-12 score, Darmouth made significant progress throughout the game and made effective adjustments at the half. President Ginna Roach '12 thought that the Dartmouth side was "fierce competitors and proud of the how the DWRC fought on the field."

Dartmouth will be taking on Columbia at home next Saturday at 2:00 pm.
Brown travels to Yale.

Scoring

Dartmouth
Tries: Rita-Louise Montour '13, Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13
Conversions: Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13
Brown
Tries: Shakeela Faulkner '12 (3), Blaine Martin '11.5(2), Laurel Oldershaw '14, Blair Station
Conversions: Chelsea Garber (3)