Dartmouth Wins 2006 Ivy League Championship

The Dartmouth Rugby Football Club won their seventh Ivy League Title in nine years, as they fought their way to a 52 - 16 victory over the Harvard Crimson in the title match. A bright Sunday in New Haven overcame the driving rain that slowed the pace of play in the first-round matches yesterday. At the half, the Dartmouth squad led the Harvard squad 31 -3 in what proved to be an exciting win for the team. Center Paul Huelskamp found the ground in the try zone as did All-American 8-man Joe Killefer, who posted a hat-trick before the first half whistle.

With Dartmouth in command of the final match, Killefer crossed the try line twice more along with wing Mike Ribero rounding out the Dartmouth scoring for the day. All-Ivy fullback Andrew Caspary had a flawless performance with his boot-going 7 for 7 on conversions and hitting his only penalty opportunity giving him a 17-point game. A sin bin with five minutes left saw Harvard snag 13 quick points to round out all the scoring. After the match, Killefer was named Tournament MVP and Dartmouth captured eight All Ivies spots. Captian Jesse Blom found the memory fantastic saying, "the Ivy Tournament is one of the most honored traditions in American rugby. It is an excellent chance for us to culminate all of our winter and spring training for a rugby Bonanza"

The morning match proved to be the true test match of the tourney as a powerful Princeton team pressured Dartmouth at the end of a 17 - 15 contest. The Dartmouth squad leapt to a 12 - 0 lead with tries form scrumhalf Tom Manzo and All-Ivy Center Scott Penner. An early try in the second half and penalty kick by Princeton closed the gap to 12 - 8, but Dartmouth seamed to seal the deal as fullback Caspary gave Dartmouth their final five points. In the closing minutes of the match, Princeton was awarded a penalty try in a call against Dartmouth for pulling down the maul. Ultimately, Dartmouth dominated possession and play for the final minutes of the half to clinch what proved to be a very important win.

Captain Jesse Blom was very excited about the victory and is "looking forward to improving on our performance from this weekend and making a run at the National Final Four." The squad looks to accomplish that feat in West Point, NY two weeks from now in the first round of the national tournament April 22nd and 23rd.

In B - Side action, the Dartmouth 2nd XV lost 0 - 12 to an impressive Brown side in the morning game. But rebounded with an outstanding 52 - 3 win over Columbia in their final match of the weekend.

Dartmouth All Ivy Tournament Select Side Players

3 - Dan Kovler
5 - Anthony Gargiulo
7 - Henry Tarmy
8 - Joe Killefer
12 - Scott Penner
11 - Mike Ribero
14 - Paul Huelskamp
15 - Andrew Caspary

Tom Monahan
DRFC Secretary

see also Dartmouth Dummies Columbia in Ivies Round 1