Twice this term the women's soccer team trekked to tangle with the Pennsylvania Quakers in Philadelphia, and twice they came home with a loss. Last Saturday's was the more important of the two, as the Big Green dropped a 1-0 thriller in the ECAC semifinals.
The team's first Ivy loss was suffered September 20th at Penn when the Quakers dominated a good portion of the game and came away with a 2-1 victory.
Yesterday was a different story altogether. The contest was evenly-matched and marked by the solid play of both goalkeepers, Kristin Luckenbill '01 and Quaker Anne Kluenmeier, who was Honorable Mention All-Ivy.
Luckenbill, who was recently honored as Ivy League Rookie of the Year to go along with her First Team All-Ivy selection, had five saves for the Big Green on the day, but couldn't save the last Quaker shot, which came with just four minutes remaining in the contest.
Quaker forward Angela Konstantaras pushed a quality shot toward the net, but Luckenbill turned it away. The rebound was collected by Kelly Stevens, who slid it into the net as the large Penn crowd erupted.
Eleanor Seigler '01 was happy with the effort on Saturday, but, obviously, not with the result.
"It was a really evenly matched game. Penn just got a great opportunity in the end, and they capitalized on it," she said.
Dartmouth outshot Penn 9-7 on the afternoon, but couldn't find the net, a disease that victimized the Green at the end of their 9-8-2 season. Penn then defeated Yale to capture the ECAC crown.
"That is always the hardest way to lose, I think. After they did score though, our team came out really hard to try and equalize the game before the whistle. We just didn't have enough time," tri-captain Betsy Dobbin '98 said of losing her final game.
Joining Luckenbill on the All-Ivy first team, selected by the league's eight head coaches, was defender Sue Eastman '99.
The Green had four players named to a very young second team, which had eight freshman and sophomores on it. Forwards Jen Murray '01 and Melissa Roth '00 were joined by fullbacks April Rasala '99 and Seigler.
Seigler was pleased not only with the individual honor bestowed upon her, but also with the team's finish at the end of the season.
"The season turned out well. We had some tough losses, but we also had some great wins," Seigler said.
The women's soccer team should be strong for a long time to come, with everyone returning with the exception of three seniors.
"I think we were one of the strongest 'teams' that Dartmouth has ever had. Also, we laid a strong foundation for the years ahead. Unfortunately, I won't be here to experience it, but I really do feel the freshmen gained a lot of experience and confidence. Only three seniors are leaving and some very talented freshmen have applied for next year. Blaze is building quite a dynasty," Dobbin said.
