Despite hopes for a strong season led by a crop of excellent juniors, the women's field hockey team split its first four games before heading into league competition this weekend.
The Big Green opened its season on the right note, topping Richmond University 3-0 in Richmond, Va. Midfielder Sarah Devens '96 scored two of Dartmouth's goals -- the 15th and 16th of her career.
The offense ran into trouble in the next two games.
Last Monday against William and Mary University, the Big Green was shut out as it lost 2-0. Goalie Lauren Demski '96 put in a solid outing in goal, stopping eight of 10 shots.
Dartmouth was no match for national power University of Connecticut, its next opponent. Connecticut scored all three of its goals in the first half, and cruised to a 3-1 victory.
The offense -- and Devens -- was back this Saturday against the University of Pacific. Devens powered the Big Green to a 4-1 victory by scoring two goals and assisting on two others. Kelly Halligan '97 scored her first career goal in the game.
Hopes are high for the field hockey team this fall. Nine players are returning from last year's team, including all of the Big Green's top scorers. Team members expect to improve on last year's 6-8-1 finish. The team was 2-3-1 in the Ivy League, good for fifth place.
The team begins Ivy League play this Saturday at home against the University of Pennsylvania.
Last year, the team lost seven games by just a goal, a trend that should be reversed this year with Dartmouth's added experience and talent. Devens, Demski and Rebecca Slisz '95 will captain the team.
Devens, who scored nine goals last year, looks to be the leader of the offense. Second year Coach Julie Dayton is looking for a big contribution from Amy Coughlin '96, the team's second leading scorer last year with five goals.
In a Sports Information release, Dayton said Coughlin "has been steadily improving."
But the loss of Beth Breckenridge, Ashley Bowen and Michelle McKenzie to graduation has left a hole is Dartmouth's defensive line.
With only two pure defenders -- Cynthia Roberts '96 and Rebecca Oettinger '96 -- returning, Dayton is hoping the team's flexibility will bolster the defensive line.
