The men's soccer team lost to Yale 1-0 in its Ivy League opener Sunday in New Haven, Conn. in a game that bore a remarkable resemblance to last year's encounter between the two conference powers.
For the second straight year, the Big Green out-played the Elis but were beaten by a goal from Yale forward Charley Marshall. Marshall's goal on Sunday came at the 18:26 mark of the first half.
Marshall controlled the ball in the Dartmouth half and then came streaking across the field. Defender Ian Saward '95 met Marshall 30 yards from the goal and knocked him over but Marshall still was able to take a shot. The wind-aided shot kissed the upper left post, beating goalie Brian Wiese '95 who had no chance of making the save.
"We knew that [Marshall] shoots quickly," Big Green coach Bobby Clark said. "But we didn't realize he shoots that quickly."
Clark described the goal as a "career goal."
Great goalkeeping by Yale's Adam Sullins secured the win for the Elis. Sullins made seven saves and frustrated the Big Green all game, bringing back memories of former Yale goalie Mike Compisi's shutout performance in last year's game.
Near the end of the first half, Sullins dove and got a hand on a Blaine LeGere '95 header which then hit the left post, ending Dartmouth's scoring threat.
In the second half, an offsides call wiped out a goal by Bill Cronin '95. Geoff Zawtocki '94 crossed the ball to Cronin, who hit a one-touch shot from inside the 18-yard box that found the left side netting.
Minutes later, Sullins made a spectacular save, denying Chris Mitchell '95. Mitchell's one-touch volley was headed into the right side of the goal but was deflected wide by an outstretched and horizontal Sullins.
The loss was the Big Green's second in a row, and their overall record stands at 2-2. Still, Clark is not panicking.
"These were two tough road games," Clark said. "I was happy with yesterday's result. I don't think we have anything to worry about. Things just didn't go our way."
The Big Green travels to Amherst, Mass. on Wednesday to play the University of New Hampshire, which boasts an impressive 9-0 record. UNH is currently ranked first in New England, a position Dartmouth held for the previous two weeks.
"This a huge game," Clark said. "It's a great chance for us to rebound."
