It is their chance to "get back on track," Coach Amy Patton said.
The women's lacrosse team needs to do just that when it hosts the University of Massachusetts today after a disappointing loss to then-eighth-ranked Penn State dropped Dartmouth from number two to number four in the latest Brine Poll, released yesterday.
Penn State moved up three places to number five due to this win on its part. Princeton, which was ranked number one until its loss to Dartmouth two weeks ago, jumped back ahead of Dartmouth this week to the number two spot. Maryland remained at number one and James Madison took over the three spot.
Massachusetts, which hits Chase Field this afternoon with a 2-4 record, could be Dartmouth's chance to gain experience playing as a team again.
"That was the main thing [that caused the loss to Penn State]. We felt what it's like not to play as a team," Patton said. "But we've also felt what it's like to play as a team. We've seen how you can make it different by playing as an individual and by playing as a team."
Dartmouth will look to take that knowledge and put it to use against Massachusetts.
"I expect them to come out on fire, very intense and very focused," Patton said. "They've had plenty of time to think about [the Penn State loss]."
Patton said this expected enthusiasm is a direct result of the lack of intensity and desire to win the team exhibited on Sunday at Penn State.
The team cannot think of Massachusetts as a guaranteed win, despite its mediocre record so far this season. Massachusetts has some players that the Big Green will have to keep their eye on in order to put another notch on their post.
Both Stephanie Walsh and Joanna Dignazio have amassed 12 points this season. Walsh has scored 12 goals, while Dignazio has 10 goals and two assists.
Dartmouth can expect to see Kate Brew between the posts for UMass. Brew has started all six of UMass's games this season and has a .650 save percentage.
Tricia DiBenedetto may relieve Brew partway through the game. DiBenedetto has taken over for Brew in three of the six games and posts a .810 save percentage.
"UMass is building into a strong team. Each season they're getting better and better," Patton said.
UMass will have to contend with Dartmouth's high scorers co-Captain Lauren Holleran '95, midfielders Sarah Devens '96 and Kim Mendelson '97, and attackman Wallis Cook '95. Holleran is up to 198 career points in her four years , the Dartmouth record.
Mendelson earned Ivy League Honor Roll status for her seven goals and two assists last week.
"We're hoping to take control right away and get the fast-break going," Patton said.
Dartmouth needs to focus on playing hard for the entire 60 minutes of the game as they did against the University of Pennsylvania last weekend. Dartmouth has outscored its opponents 36-10 in the first halves but only 33-30 in the second halves.
"[Dartmouth is] going to have to work twice as hard [after dropping in the Brine poll]," Patton said. "But our destiny is our own hands and that's exactly where we want it to be."
