Augie Lopez's '97 right-footed blast with 2:20 left in the second half broke a scoreless tie, as the Big Green men's soccer squad snapped a two-game losing streak with a win over intra-state rival UNH. The victory launched Dartmouth into the winner's column as the Green improved to 4-3-1.
After a seesaw first half with both teams playing stellar defense, Dartmouth began the second stanza with a renewed tenacity that impressed Coach Fran O'Leary.
"I thought the lads looked tired today," O'Leary said. "Although we played two tough matches this past weekend, we were able to stick it out and I give my men credit for finding the energy to get the win. It took a lot of courage."
Back Chris Dedicik '98 controlled the middle of the field with accurate headers to ignite the Big Green offense. For most of the second half, Dartmouth pounded shot after shot at UNH's freshman keeper Ethan Holmes, but the rookie did not let up. Holmes single-handedly kept the game close for the 1-7-3 Wildcats as he lunged desperately for balls and made 10 saves. In the box on the other side of the field, Big Green goalie Matt Streng '98 recorded his fourth shutout of the season with seven saves.
Midfielders Gareth Jones '99, Russell Penn '00 and Methembe Ndlovu '97 kept the pressure on UNH with sharp passes, quick footwork and sound ball-handling.
With 4:00 left, the Big Green had a chance to put the game away as a miss-directed kick sailed toward the middle of the field. Lopez pounced on the ball, set up and belted a shot two inches over the top post.
Two minutes later, however, Lopez would get revenge. After controlling the ball offensively with patient passes, Dartmouth attacked. Co-Captain David Moran '96 cleared out his defender to open a lane for Gareth Jones '99. Jones advanced relentlessly and as the Wildcats closed in, flipped a perfect pass to Lopez who then launched home the game winner.
"Moran really cleared it out for me," said Lopez after the game. "Jones' pass was incredible. There wasn't a lot of room but he got it to me. All I had to do was shoot."
Although the Big Green posted their fourth victory of the season, O'Leary wants his players to improve their reaction times.
"Any time we come up with the win, it is a good thing," he said. "But we need to be quicker to the ball. We waited too long today and wasted some good opportunities."
With improved soccer programs at both schools, the UNH-Dartmouth rivalry has once again heated up. Although the Big Green has an 18-5-4 all-time record against the Wildcats, five of the last six matches have been one-goal battles, with the sixth being a 1-1 tie.
"UNH always comes to play," O'Leary said. "Winning is never easy. But a win is a win and we got one today."
Dartmouth will host St. Francis, a team that has been playing well, this Saturday at noon at Chase Field.
