Following on the heels of its upset victory over the University of Massachusetts on Tuesday, the women's soccer team overcame concerns about taking their next opponent too easily, notching a 1-0 overtime win over Cornell on Saturday at Chase Field.
With the victory, the team boosted its record to 4-1 in the Ivy League and 9-2-1 overall.
"We're happy with the results," Coach Steve Swanson said. "Right now is a tough time with midterms and everything. We haven't had much time off, and it is assuring to come out of this week with two tough victories."
The afternoon was chilly and both teams started out slow. Although Dartmouth controlled the game offensively, pressuring Cornell downfield, the Big Green were unable to convert the opportunities they created.
"It was a tough game," Swanson said. "They're a good team and they pressured us defensively with tight marking, which provided a challenge for us."
In a game with more than 20 fouls, intensity was evident, as both teams struggled to assert their ground.
"It was a physical game," Swanson said. "I think we were hanging on to the ball a little too much at times and that could be the reason. We were looking for different ways to attack."
After a scoreless first half, the Big Green came out fresh after halftime but were still unable to capitalize in the key moments.
"I felt good," Holly Thomas '97 said. "I felt like we could definitely win. We were almost there; we just had to finish better."
With the clock running down, it became evident that overtime was in store, and in a scoreless game, a tie looked probable to many except for the Big Green.
"I was confident that, considering how many shots we were getting off, we were sure to put one in at some point," Jen Ratay '97 said.
Yet at only five minutes into the first overtime period, the Big Green could not put one in. They drove the ball downfield and attempted two shots, both of which were blocked by the Cornell defense. Then, trying for a third time, the Big Green hit the crossbar.
"I started to feel frustrated," Thomas said. "I felt we had to work a little harder off the ball to get on the ends of some balls."
Dartmouth kept its poise, however, and continued to pressure the Cornell squad. Entering the second overtime period, the Big Green were looking for someone to take the initiative.
To no one's surprise, Melissa McBean '97 was the one who seized the opportunity with 12 minutes remaining in the game. With an assist by Kate Andrews '96, McBean knocked in the game-winning goal.
"It was a huge relief," Ratay said. "It was a well deserved goal. I remember telling the team in our huddle that it was about time."
For McBean (who missed the first five games of the season due to a knee injury) this was a personal accomplishment, considering this was her second consecutive last minute game winning goal.
Tuesday at UMass, she also drove in the only goal, with 10 minutes left in the game to give the Big Green a 1-0 victory.
Although the victory was secured by the offense, an often overlooked part of the Big Green squad is the defense, which was responsible for holding Cornell to only seven shots and one corner kick chance.
"I think defensively we played well," Swanson said. "We had a lot of the possession, so it's tough for the defense when they only attack occasionally. They do an awful lot and that's something that doesn't always show up on the stat sheet."
After twelve games in one month, Dartmouth is starting to feel the grind of such a demanding schedule and, with only three games left, the Big Green plan to recuperate.
"I think the main thing right now is to get some rest," Swanson said. "We want to solidify our team defensively and work on creating more chances, but right now we need to get our minds fresh."
