For Buckingham Browne & Nichols Class of 2023 midfielder Francesca Valverde (Grafton, Mass.), Dartmouth College checked the key boxes.
Being an Ivy League school, the Dartmouth academics are obviously at an elite level. On top of that, the women’s soccer team has been perennially competitive and hasn’t had a losing season since 2017.
Another clinching factor came during Valverde’s visit to Dartmouth, when she a chance run-in and ensuing conversation with friend and Dartmouth freshman forward Hannah Curtin (Winchester, Mass.).
"She was just talking about the program and how she wants to give everything she can to building the program up, and she was like 'I would love for you to join me in doing that,'" said Valverde. "It kind of just felt right."
