Women’s Rugby Travels to Sacred Heart for Season Opener

Abbey Savin women's rugby action versus Harvard

Abbey Savin ’24

Photo by: Doug Austin

Women’s Rugby Travels to Sacred Heart for Season Opener

9/15/2022 1:55:00 PM | Women's Rugby

The Big Green begin their title defense Saturday on the road

By: Kyle Relf

GAME 1
Dartmouth vs. Sacred Heart (1-0-1)
Date: Saturday, September 17, 2022 | 11 a.m.
Location: Fairfield, Conn. | Park Ave Field
All-Time Series: 1-0
Last Meeting: 10/2/21 – W, 63-10

Watch (NEC Front Row)

SATURDAY'S MATCH
Dartmouth takes the field for the first time since winning the NIRA title on a memorable night at Army West Point. The season opener was originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10, but a cancelation now has the Big Green kicking off the 2022 campaign at Sacred Heart. The Pioneers already have two games under their belts.

2021 IN REVIEW
It doesn't get much better than what Dartmouth was able to accomplish in 2021. The first undefeated team in program history only had one match decided by single digits, and that was on the road to the eventual national runner-up, Army West Point. Of course, the Big Green would go on to defeat the Black Knights in the NIRA Final a couple months later. Dartmouth dismantled opponents with an average 41-point margin of victory.

SOME KEY RETURNERS
Though the Big Green lost some key players from the 2021 championship team like MA Sorensen winner Idia Ihensekhien, there are a number of notable returners who are primed to make major contributions once again. Asialeata Meni, Kristin Bitter and Nicole Ihensekhien each scored at least four tries last season and will look to pace the Big Green offense. Junior Abbey Savin led the team in points last year with 78, coming from 35 conversions, one try and four assists.

THE NEWCOMERS
Seven talented freshmen join the Big Green ahead of the 2022 season. Simone Bautista, Jordan Duncan, Maura Hough, Vanessa Ortiz-Pallen, Taylor Sadek, Jenna Sheldon and Katelyn Walker are the rookies who seek to make an immediate impact. Dartmouth also welcomes one new assistant coach for the 2022 campaign – former All-American and two-time national champion at Penn State, Gianna Solomon.

SCOUTING SACRED HEART
Sacred Heart opened the season against Princeton in the Tigers' varsity debut, defeating the NIRA newcomers 53-21. Fabiola Millien-Faustin led the team with two tries, while Alyssa Cunningham was 7-for-8 on conversions. Last weekend, the Pioneers surrendered a late five-point lead against Brown and settled for a 24-24 tie.

LAST MEETING
The Big Green dominated Sacred Heart a season ago, 63-10. Sophie Ragg, who finished with two, was one of eight players to find the try zone in that early October matchup. Emily Henrich also had two tries, while Kristin Bitter split the uprights four times for eight total points. Sacred Heart was one of just four opponents to score double-digits against Dartmouth.

WHAT'S AHEAD
Dartmouth returns home to Brophy Field to take on Quinnipiac Saturday, Sept. 24. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The home opener, along with all home games, will be streamed on ESPN+.