The Big Green men's lacrosse team's loss to Princeton last Saturday marked their fifth consecutive loss. Against the University of New Hampshire yesterday, Dartmouth had the opportunity to break that losing streak after coming from behind to lead, 12-9, going into the fourth period.
The Big Green nailed five goals during a scoring streak in the third to take the lead. However, UNH scored four times in the fourth period to overcome the Dartmouth rally to defeat the Big Green in a heartbreaker, 13-12. Dartmouth's record drops to 3-8 overall, 0-5 in the Ivy League.
"We choked," Coach Tim Nelson said. "There is nothing else to say."
Dartmouth's offense was fueled by a well-balanced scoring attack. Todd Smith '95, John Schneider '96 and Tom Scott '96 scored twice and six other players had one goal each to pace the Big Green, but this impressive offensive effort could not withstand the furious UNH rally.
As usual, the Big Green found themselves behind, 4-0, only minutes into the game. The fast pace in the first few minutes caught the Big Green off guard, as UNH players caught Dartmouth defenders flat-footed to streak to an early lead.
The Big Green slowed the tempo and traded goals with UNH at the end of the first period and for much of the second.
Led by midfielder Smith's two goals in the second period, the Big Green narrowed the deficit to one and trailed at the half, 8-7.
In the third period, Dartmouth came alive with a streak of their own, scoring five goals. Dartmouth also stepped up its defensive play, allowing only one goal in the period.
Goalie Will Wynperle '93 played brilliantly to fluster the UNH offense, recording 17 saves for the game. Riding this momentum, the Big Green seemed to be in control of the game, leading,12-9, at the end of the third period.
But the Big Green self-destructed in the fourth. After running on an emotional high throughout the third, the intensity that catapulted Dartmouth to a 12-9 lead disappeared.
UNH capitalized on Dartmouth's mistakes to rally quickly and the Wildcats scored four times to take the lead for good, 13-12. Though Dartmouth had many chances to tie the game at the end, including one shot that just missed crossing the crease, the goaltending of UNH's Jon Doran prevented the Big Green from tying the score and sending the game into overtime.
Dartmouth will close out the 1993 season on Saturday when it hosts Harvard at 1 p.m. on Memorial Field.
