The Crimson falls to Brown at the Ivy Tournament Championship. (Gil Talbot)

HANOVER, N. H. - No. 4-seed Harvard women's rugby (3-4, 3-2) took on the No. 1-seed Brown Bears (7-0, 7-0) today in an Ivy Tournament Championship semifinal match on Dartmouth's Battle Field. The Crimson fell behind early in the match and was never able to get back in it, eventually falling, 27-5.

"This team fought their hearts out today," said head Coach Sue Parker. "This was the most ferocious contest of the year and we showed great courage."

The Crimson came out strong in the first half with multiple scoring opportunities in the first 10 minutes, but was unable cross the goal line. At the 20-minute mark captain Hope Schwartz was penalized, leaving the Crimson down a player. Brown capitalized on the player-advantage by scoring the match's first two tries. The Bears would score two more tries in the first half taking a 22-0 advantage over the Crimson into the break.

Facing a large deficit, Harvard's defense responded well in the second period allowing only one more Brown try, but the offense was never able to get on track. With seconds left in the match, sophomore Claire Collins was able to cross the goal line to bring the score to 27-5, which would prove to me the final.

The Crimson is off next week and will prepare for the USA Rugby/ACRA National Championship Playoffs, November 21-23.