The Big Green men's soccer team dominated Harvard on Saturday but suffered a disappointing, 1-0 defeat.
In a frustrating game that appeared to be played on a field heavily slanted toward Harvard's goal, Crimson forward Joshua Martin scored the only goal of the game, his first of the season.
Thirty minutes into the game, Crimson junior Craig Brill sent a low, left-footed cross through the Big Green penalty area. Harvard's Joe Bradley skipped the ball to Martin, who finished into an open net.
From that point on, Harvard was on the defensive. On many occasions, the Crimson had all 11 players within 20 yards of their own goal. Time and time again, Dartmouth created scoring opportunites but could not convert.
The Big Green's best chance of the first half came in the 38th minute. Geoff Zawtocki '94 hit a left-footed shot on the ground that caused Harvard goalie Ned Carlson to get tangled up with his defending teammate. On the ground and out of position, Carlson somehow stopped consecutive shots off the feet of David Moran '96 and Chris Mitchell '95.
In the closing seconds of the first half, George O'Brien '95 made a run from midfield, working a give-and-go with Mike Bradley '96. O'Brien's shot from just inside the 18-yard box went right of the goal.
Dartmouth kept the pressure on in the second half. With 30 minutes left in the game, Moran received a cross from Blaine LeGere '95. Moran's shot beat Carlson but was saved by Harvard defender Tom Marcotullio, who was standing on Harvard's goal line.
Five minutes later, another LeGere cross created what was possibly the Big Green's best chance of the afternoon. Asa Marokus '95 leaped high to head the ball back across the Harvard goal to Mitchell, whose header hit the crossbar.
Dartmouth's last opportunity came with two minutes left. A Harvard foul gave the Big Green a free kick from 20 yards out, but Mitchell's bender went inches wide to the right.
"We needed a break, but never got one," Coach Bobby Clark said. "As a coach, you have to ask yourself if you feel proud of the team. I feel very proud."
Dartmouth outshot the Crimson, 18-3, clear evidence of their dominance.
"We never lost our discipline and we created chances until the end," Clark said. "A lot of teams would panic, but we kept trying to play."
The team's record now stands at 8-5 heading into the final weekend of the season. It travels to Columbia on Saturday and finish the year Sunday at the University of Pennsylvania.