After losing to Boston College 2-1 yesterday afternoon, the women's soccer team is looking to overcome something it is not used to having -- a losing streak.
The Big Green, who were Ivy Champions two years ago and runner-ups last year, have been known for consistent play, but so far this year Dartmouth is struggling to find that winning combination.
"We just need to come back together," forward Melissa McBean '97 said. "We need to find the pieces of the puzzle and put them back together and go from there."
After losing to Brown in a heartbreaking 2-0 home game last Saturday, Dartmouth traveled to BC yesterday hoping to reestablish itself as a top eastern team.
But the Big Green came out a bit slow yesterday and were unable to finish early in the game, which led to problems later on.
"The first half it was like we were just going through the motions of the game," McBean said. "I thought we played well at times, but we just missed that little enthusiasm throughout the game."
The game was held scoreless until BC's Alex Chamberlain drove through the Big Green defense to punch in a goal with 2:45 left in the half.
In the second half, the Big Green came out stronger when Jenna Kurowski '97, Dartmouth's leading scorer, capitalized on a loose ball and scored at 54:38. The goal was Kurowski's seventh on the season.
The game would remain at a stalemate until the Eagle's April Parker shot in the game-winning goal through several Big Green players with just over a minute left.
Despite being outscored, offensively Dartmouth dominated the game outshooting the Eagles 20-8.
"We had a lot of opportunities," McBean said. "We just really have to work on finishing."
Defensively, goal keeper Annie Eckstein '98 saved four for the Big Green, while the Eagle's Valerie Daniel stopped seven.
With a 5-4-1 record, the Big Green do not want to drop to .500. They will look get back on track this weekend when they take on Princeton at home on Chase Fields. The Big Green will play at 2:30 p.m. following the men's game at 12:00 p.m.
"Some games we are more motivated, but others we are just not getting up for," McBean said. "We need that little extra ump that might help us win the game."
The Dartmouth women will have today to recuperate before they head to practice Thursday in preparation for Princeton.
"We usually have beaten them, but not handily," McBean said. "There is no guarantee of what is going to happen unless we come out and play to our potential. We need to get back on a winning streak, and hopefully Princeton will be the beginning."
