Dartmouth Begins the Fall with 52-17 Victory Over Brown

Saturday, September 14

Providence, R.I.

11:00 AM

Dartmouth College

Brown

Sophomore Ariana Ramsey had three tries for the Big Green.

Photo by: Brian Foley

Dartmouth Begins the Fall with 52-17 Victory Over Brown

9/14/2019 2:58:00 PM | Women's Rugby

Photos by Brian Foley

Sophomore Ariana Ramsey led the charge with a trio of tries

By: Rick Bender

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — It certainly felt like fall at Brown's Marvel Field, but the Dartmouth women's rugby team opened its season hot with a 52-17 road victory over the Bears on a windy and chilly Saturday. Sophomore Ariana Ramsey led the Big Green with a trio of tries, while freshman Kristin Bitter added five conversions along with a try of her own.

"Today was a good first hit out for us," head coach Katie Dowty said after the contest. "This is the type of match that clearly highlights both our strengths and work-ons. We had a very high execution rate in our attacking half, but made decisions that put us under pressure in our defensive end. The takeaways from today will be huge moving forward, and we are eager to have a look at the film on Monday.

"On defense, the team adjusted well to Brown's strengths and found ways to pressure the ball. The team acknowledged [sophomore] Lannan Abbott for an especially hungry defensive performance highlighted by countless tackles and several steals at the lineout."

Dartmouth quickly took command of the game, jumping out to a 19-0 lead. Bitter provided the first score and conversion in the second minute before freshman Lauren Ferridge and Ramsey tacked on tries, and Bitter finished off the latter with her second conversion of the day for that 19-point lead in the 22nd minute.

After Brown pushed across the line for its first score, the Big Green pushed Brown back into its red zone off the restart. Ramsey fielded a clearing kick and brought it home for a try with Bitter once again adding the conversion for a 26-5 lead, which is how it stood at the half.

Dartmouth did not let up after the intermission with junior Idia Ihensekhien and Ramsey providing tries, and Bitter the conversions for a commanding 40-5 advantage.

Brown added its second try on a run into the corner but failed on the conversion again. Ferridge answered with her second try of the day with five minutes to play, and senior Becca Jane Rosko capped the scoring on a 65-meter run with freshman Lillian Johnson adding the conversion, putting the Big Green up, 52-10. In the final minute, the Bears tacked on one last score and a conversion to bring the score to its final tally.

Next up for the defending NIRA national champions is a tough road test at Harvard on Saturday, Sept. 21. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+ in the United States and on Stretch for international viewers. Subscribe to one of the services to be able to watch the game.