Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 DWRC Defeats Berkeley, 45-25
The DWRC put up a tough match against UC Berkeley last night, and came out on top 45-25. Playing on Berkeley's practice field, there were no posts, so neither team kicked conversions. The narrower margins of the field also limited runs to the outside, but the DWRC succeeded in starting offense with breaks through the middle and stricter vertical runs on the edges.
Berkeley touched down the first try with an aggressive drive off of the starting kickoff, five minutes into the game. Dartmouth answered shortly with a try by Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13 (3 in the first half). Using their strong forward pack as a platform, Berkeley scored three more times in the first half, with forceful runs up the channel and into the try zone. The DWRC came back with a counterattack from a Berkeley kick from lineout, turning it into a try, and another try off a penalty play. The DWRC went into half at 15-20, down by one try.
In the second half, the DWRC forwards came together, moving to control the scrums and delivering quick ball out of rucks. They did an excellent job supporting the backs in contact, and creating continuity on the field. Pick and jams also fired up the offense, and the DWRC aggression in the first phase set up opportunities for the backs to break through. The DWRC continued to counterattack strongly, and second half tries were scored by Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13 (3 in second half), Matty Sturm '13, and rookie backs Leandra Barrett '15 and Michaela Conway '15. Exceptional forward support by Theresa Cassano '12 and Ginna Roach '12, and a hard game in the front row by props Taylor Johnson '14, Nastassja Schmiedt '15, and Amanda Spoto '14, and hooker Emma Vance '13 also contributed to the DWRC's offense.
The DWRC looks forward to their 10s tournament on Treasure Island tomorrow, March 24th, which will conclude their 2012 Spring Tour.
Friday, March 16th, 2012 DWRC Falls to Stanford in Well-Fought First Match of the Spring Season
The DWRC fell to Stanford in their first game of 2012 tour, 19-24. Stanford got up 12-0 in the first 20 minutes of the first half. The DWRC had a full-team effort immediately after, resulting in Karoline Walter '13 touching down the first try for Dartmouth. Other tries were scored by Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13 and Molly Manning '12. Walter '13 kicked for points. Battling increasingly rainy and windy conditions, the DWRC capitalized on strong teamwork in the rucks and running, but ultimately could not overcome Stanford's force in the breakdowns. The forwards also put in a tremendous performance in the many muddy scrums of the match. The DWRC enjoyed the support of many Originals and friends in the stands, and can't wait to see them later this tour. We're excited to keep working hard in sunny and warm weather, and so ready for games against Berkeley and at the 10s Round Robin coming up!
|
Saturday & Sunday, November 4th/5th, 2011
Dartmouth Splits Final Fall Weekend in the Plate Bracket of the Northeast Regional Playoffs
The DWRC hosted the Northeast Regional playoffs on November 5th and 6th, in a new playoff format with eight teams competing in two tiers. Army and Brown, fresh from "bye" weekends, headlined the Final Four bracket. Princeton and Harvard, having won hard-fought matches against Dartmouth in the Ivy League and then logging snowstorm victories against Boston University and Buffalo to qualify for this bracket, rounded out the pool. Brown (Ivy League Champions) became Northeastern Regional Champions with a convincing 36-17 upset over Army (NERFU, Defending Northeast, and Defending National Champions). Princeton prevailed over Harvard, 23-10, but had to fight the entire 80 minutes as Harvard pressed until the end, earning the third seed to the National Round of Sixteen.
Dartmouth (Ivy#4) was top seed in the Plate Bracket, which allowed lower-finishing teams from the region - Boston College (NERFU #3), SUNY Brockport (NYS #3), and SUNY Cortland (NYS #2) to compete in the playoff weekend for the first time.
The DWRC, plaqued by midterm fatigue and late-season injuries, finished a disappointing second behind an athletic Boston College side in the Plate Division, but the tournament itself was a big success and a great experience for Dartmouth's young team, as well as for all who attended.
On Saturday the Big Green defeated a scrappy SUNY Brockport squad 38-24. Dartmouth's first try came early in the match when Ashley Afrani-Sayki '13 picked up a fumbled Brockport ball and passed to #10 Katie Gulemi '11 for a 35 meter score. Afranie-Sakyi finished up the day with five tries of her own. The Big Green backline used their speed and passing to set up Afranie-Sakyi on long runs on the outside. The DWRC pack controlled the set pieces and had stand out performances by hooker Rosa Van Wie '12 and freshman prop Nastassja Schmiedt '15.
On Sunday the DWRC lost 29-5 to Boston College. Flyhalf Katie Gulemi '11 was sidelined with a broken hand from the prior match and fullback Karoline Walter '13 caught a cleat to the forehead in an open-field tackle attempt in the opening minutes, requiring departure from the match for stitches. Freshman Charlotte Knott moved in from the wing to play flyhalf and Kaila Cauthorn started her first match at #14. Dartmouth's pack, led as always by Captain Theresa Cassano '12, played a tough and grinding battle with the aggressive BC forwards. At half, Dartmouth was down 22-0. Early in the second half, Afranie-Sakyi ran in a try through the middle to put the score at 22-5. BC scored late in the game and went up 29-5. By the end of the match Dartmouth subbed in two additional freshman, replacing injured Cassano and #9 Sandi Caalim.
This weekend concludes Dartmouth's fall season. The inaugural Ivy Rugby Conference was a great success, with plenty of great competition and comraderie. The DWRC has already begun post-season training, and will return to play in February at the Las Vegas Sevens Tournament, and on their Spring Tour to California in mid-March.
Saturday, October 22nd, 2011
Dartmouth Drops Tough League Match to Harvard 27-12
The DWRC lost in an all-out battle 27-12 to Harvard, who are back in Division I after winning the 2011 DII National Championship. Despite enjoying the majority of possession in the first half, The Big Green failed to capitalize on several opportunities in Harvard territory, with key handling errors preventing them from getting on the board. Harvard put up the only points of the half with a try out wide in the seventh minute. Flanker Rita Montour '13 and center Sabrina Amaro '13 both had exceptional all-around performances, highlighted by several breakaways, but their outstanding play and the hard work of the rest of the team was not enough to get the job done.
Harvard opened up the scoring second half with another early try on the outside. However, Dartmouth quickly responded when winger Maddy Sturm '13 finished an impressive continuity series by dotting the ball down to put the score at 10-7. Though Dartmouth held off the continuous onslaughts from the crashing Crimson forwards, their outside backs struck again and Harvard went up 15-7. Dartmouth came back with heightened intensity as center Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13 found some space and powered up the middle in the sixty-second minute on a seventy-meter break away to put the score at 15-12. The Harvard outside backs proved too much for the Big Green, however, and Harvard scored twice in the final minutes to secure their bid to the Northeast playoffs.
In a re-working of the tight five configuration, Nastassja Schmeidt '15 started in her first A-Side match at tighthead prop while captain Theresa Cassano '12 moved in from flanker and turned in a solid performance at loosehead prop. The Big Green pack held their own against the powerful Harvard forwards in the scrums, with hooker Rosa Van Wie '12 stealing some Crimson put-ins. Dartmouth played a well-organized team game and matched Harvard's intensity at the breakdown. Captain Theresa Cassano '12 said that despite the loss Dartmouth "showed incredible improvements throughout the season" and that she was "proud to play with a team with such heart."
The DWRC will host a match in the Northeast Playoff Consolation Bracket next Saturday at home, team TBA, and will host the Northeast Playoff Final Four and Final Four Consolation Bracket on November 5th and 6th.
Harvard 27 - Dartmouth 12
Tries: Maddy Sturm '13, Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13
Conversions: Karoline Walter '13
Saturday, October 15th, 2011
Dartmouth's continuity and running game too much for young Bulldog's side
In
their only away game of the regular season Dartmouth beat Yale 83-5.
Dartmouth came out strong, capitalizing on several Bulldog penalties to
take a quick lead. Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13 scored twice, followed by a
run up the middle by #10 Katie Gulemi '11 to put the score at 19-0. The
Big Green used the match to work on their continuity, support and
offensive integration. Flanker Rita-Louise Montour '13 scored off an
offload from Afranie-Sakyi and Ginna Roach '12 touched down two tries in
a row after forward vertical attacks. Afranie-Sakyi ended the scoring
for the first half following a long break by the back three and
Dartmouth went into the half with a 47-0 lead.
In the second
half, scrumhalf Sandi Caalim '13 finished off a forward maul with a try
on the outside. Wing Maddy Sturm '13 scored on a long run to the middle
and the DWRC went up 59-0. Afranie-Sakyi and Karoline Walter '13 each
tacked on a try and the Big green led 73-0 at the 60 minute mark.
Dartmouth substituted in 7 new players in the final 20 minutes and
pulled several key starters. #13 Sabrina Amaro '13 got a well-deserved
try after setting up several earlier scores. Montour added the final
Dartmouth try at wing. Yale scored on a breakthrough late in the match
and the final score was 83-5.
Forwards Captain Theresa Cassano
along with #8 Ginna Roach and #6 Emma Vance spearheaded the vertical
attacking game and made several midfield breaks apiece. Winger Maddy
Sturm put Dartmouth's spread game
into overdrive with her outstanding
runs and breakthrough support. Karoline Walter had a solid day at the
posts, making 9 out of 11 conversions. Eight different players scored
for the DWRC.
Dartmouth will take on Harvard at 12:30pm at the Corey Ford Rugby Clubhouse for Homecoming weekend next weekend.
Dartmouth 83- Yale 5
Tries: Afranie-Sakyi
'13 (4), Ginna Roach '12 (2), Rita-Louise Montour '13 (2), Katie Gulemi
'11, Sandi Caalim '13, Maddy Sturm '13, Karoline Walter '13, Sabrina
Amaro '13
Conversions: Walter (9)
Saturday, October 8th, 2011
Dartmouth drops hard-fought battle to undefeated Princeton
On a beautiful New England Saturday the DWRC lost a back-and-forth battle to Princeton 24-31. Princeton opened up the scoring and took a 12-0 lead 13 minutes into the first half. Dartmouth responded with a converted try by Karoline Walter �13 off of a run by Ashley Afranie-Sakyi �13. Princeton ended the half with a penalty kick after a long DWRC tryline stand and the Dartmouth team went into the half down 7-15.
In the second half, Princeton again opened up the scoring with a kick for points. Srumhalf Sandi Caalim �13 set up Katie Gulemi �11 and Afranie-Sakyi for tries to take the lead after quick penalty taps and excellent running lines. Dartmouth took advantage of another Princeton penalty and Afranie-Sakyi ran in another try on the outside giving Dartmouth a 24-18 advantage. Princeton used their kicking to gain territory and scored through the centers following a collapsed scrum on the 5-meter line. Princeton took the lead in the 66th minute after winning the ball back from Dartmouth in contact and went up 24-28. Princeton added another three points with a kick for points to put the score at 31-24. Despite a valiant effort, Dartmouth failed to get into the try zone and went scoreless in the final minutes.
Dartmouth�s still-developing first XV came up short against Princeton�s ball-hungry lineup but had outstanding performances by #9 Sandi Caalim and #8 Ginna Roach �12. Utility player Maddy Sturm �13 moved from second-row to wing, doing her fair-share of counter attacking and offensive support. Princeton controlled the breakdown on both sides and put pressure on Dartmouth�s centers, forcing the DWRC to get the ball out wide. After the game Princeton Coach Emil Signes described the match as �one of those games that you coach for. It was a phenomenal game both ways [and] we were delighted to win it.� Dartmouth Coach Deb Archambault �85 agreed with the sentiment. �Both teams played with a lot of heart, and I am really proud of Dartmouth for competing so ferociously. At the end of the day, though, Princeton did a better job at the breakdown and managed to create and capitalize on more offensive opportunities than we did, and I give them credit for that.�
Dartmouth (1-2 Ivy) will play at Yale next Saturday.
Dartmouth 24- Princeton 31
Dartmouth Tries: Ashley Afranie-Sakyi �13 (2), Karoline Walter �13, Katie Gulemi �11
Conversions: Karoline Walter �13 (2)
Saturday, October 1st, 2011
DWRC Perseveres Through Rough Weather for Decisive Win Over Columbia
The DWRC defeated Columbia 53-7 Saturday afternoon in cold and wet conditions. Dartmouth, in their second week of Ivy League play, played a tight match, adapting to the conditions. Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13 spearheaded the attack in the back line, coming up with four tries and several long breaks. Flyhalf Katie Gulemi '11, outside center Sabrina Amaro '13 and fullback Karoline Walter '13 settled into their positions both offensively and defensively, giving Dartmouth a decisive advantage in the back line. The Big Green forwards contributed plenty of offense as well, generating several tries of their own with well-executed vertical continuity.
Afranie-Sakyi put up an early try in the first half to give Dartmouth the lead. Ginna Roach '12 came up with a try in the far corner after a Columbia penalty and Walter scored soon afterwards off of a Dartmouth lineout. Afranie-Sakyi then touched down another try following a long break through the centers. Co-captain Theresa Cassano ended the scoring for the half with a try, capping off a series of forward vertical attacks and putting the DWRC up 27-0.
In the second half Afranie-Sakyi put up two more tries and set up Cassano for another with a long break down the center of the field. Dartmouth put in several new players, in addition to the two '15s who started the match-flanker Kaila Cauthorn and wing Charlotte Knott. Rita-Louise Montour '13 touched down the final try of the match to give Dartmouth a decisive 53-7 victory.
The DWRC will take on Princeton next Saturday at 11am at the Corey Ford Rugby Clubhouse.
Dartmouth 53- Columbia 7
Tries: Ashley Afranie Sakyi '13 (4), Theresa Cassano '12 (2), Ginna Roach '12, Rita-Louise Montour '13, Karoline Walter '13
Conversions: Karoline Walter '13 (4)
Saturday, September 24th, 2011
Young DWRC Shows Heart, but Falls to Strong Brown Side in League Play Opener
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), kicking was the name of the game as Brown took full advantage of Garber's powerful foot to kick their way into scoring position and finish with speedy wings. The DWRC held the Bears scoreless for the first 10 minutes of the game, but Brown found it's rhythm and put up five unanswered tries, 2 converted, to take a 29-0 lead at half.
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 a much better second half for the Big Green. 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.
#11 Rita-Louise Montour '13 capped off the first march down the field with a try on the outside. Brown answered with two tries, despite Dartmouth's much improved defensive organization. Late in the second half, Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13 scored 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 a group of "fierce competitors and [was] 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 41- Dartmouth 12
Dartmouth tries: Rita-Louise Montour '13, Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13
Conversions: Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13
Saturday, September 10th, 2011
DWRC goes 2-0 in Granite Cup
In their first weekend of 15s action, the DWRC took on University of New Hampshire and Plymouth State in the Granite Cup. In the first match Dartmouth topped UNH 31-15. The DWRC went up early with two long runs from Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13. The rest of the match went back and forth with each side added three more tries apiece. Dartmouth's young backline saw much improvement, stemming from a new scrumhalf-flyhalf connection between #9 Sandi Caalim '13 and former golf captain Katie Gulemi '11, now a fifth year engineer.
In the second match, Dartmouth defeated Plymouth State 24-0 in a single half. Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13 again led the DWRC with her breakthroughs and long runs. Co-captain Theresa Cassano '12 led the forward pack in tackling and stopped a Plymouth breakthrough that could have resulted in a try. Cassano described the matches as "a great experience for our newer players" and "expects to see overall improvement in the coming weeks as players settle into their positions". The DWRC is looking forward to their final week of preseason and a match against St. Mikes next weekend.
Dartmouth- 31- UNH 15
Tries: Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13- 5, Conversions: Ashley Afranie Sakyi '13- 2, Katie Gulemi '11- 1
Dartmouth 24- Plymouth State 0
Tries: Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13- 4, Conversions: Ashley Afranie-Sakyi '13- 2
Saturday, July 9th, 2011
Dartmouth '13's Off to the Races at Springfield Sevens, DWRC Looks Strong in First 7s Tournament of the Season
DWRC Sophomores look promising in their first sevens matches of the season, winning two of four scheduled matches, and playing a fifth "friendly" to give new players a full game. The Big Green was "in" every match, and with a little more experience may well have been in the championship finals. In fact, during pool play, Dartmouth beat eventual tournament champions Springfield Women #1!
Dartmouth got on the board first in every match, surprising more experienced teams with hard running and aggressive tackling.
Match Scores:
Dartmouth 10 Falcons#3 15
Dartmouth 19 Springfield#1 5
Dartmouth 10 Albany 24
Dartmouth 29 Falcons#2 0
"Friendly" Portland W Dartmouth L
Points: Ashley Afranie-Sakyi 41
Dani Valdes 15
Karoline Walter 5
Maggie Conners 2
|
|
|
