And it was the best feeling because it was Dartmouth, for which Harvard has had a festering dislike over the last few years.
"The rivalry [with Dartmouth] is getting stronger and stronger every year," Sturdy said. "I thought we played pretty intense. We were in control the whole time. We always kept our composure."
The win answered a big question for the young Crimson team that had folded in some non-conference games against strong opponents.
The question: How would Harvard, picked fourth in the conference before the season, respond to pressure and talent from Ivy opponents like Dartmouth and Penn?
The answer after Friday: Quite well.
Even though Delaney-Smith sarcastically emphasized that there was nothing special about this game, the glint in her eye told otherwise.
"Awinisawinisawinisawin," she said, but quickly added, "Every time you beat your arch rival, it feels good. I don't care whether we won by 20 or two. It's OK. I'll take it."
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