Midterms still aren't for another three weeks, but already, it's test time for the women's hoops team as the Big Green take on Empire State rivals Cornell and Columbia this weekend for its Ivy home openers in Leede Arena.
Now 5-6 overall and 0-1 Ivy, Dartmouth will be looking to play catch-up in the early season Ivy League standings following a 69-74 loss to Harvard last Saturday.
But the Big Green are optimistic. And with good reason.
In their most recent matchup against the Crimson, the Big Green combined an aggressive offense with a stifling defense to hold the two-time defending Ivy champs at bay for the first 30 minutes of the game.
In fact, Dartmouth controlled the momentum of the game from the start, taking a four point lead at the half. And it was only in the final minutes of the second half that Harvard gained the advantage.
For now, the end result of the Harvard game isn't as important as the previously hidden confidence which that match provided.
"We shot well, played together, and covered each others' backs on defense," said guard Courtney Banghart '00 after the Harvard game. "It was a united effort, and one we are all proud of. The loss is something that's real tough to swallow, but we proved a lot last night."
Forward Katie O'Connor '99 agreed. "I'd say that the best thing about the game was that we played as a team," she said. "We were there to back each other up on defense. The intensity was so high and it was a great game."
The Big Green are now looking to carry that same intensity into Leede Arena this weekend.
Though neither Cornell (3-7) nor Columbia (4-7) have stellar records so far, neither challenger can be overlooked.
Cornell's star center Kelly Jackson has been on fire lately -- as she sank 28 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and collected two assists and two steals in her last two games.
For the Columbia Lions, center Erin Erdman posted similar numbers to earn All-Tournament Honors at the FIU Tournament and should also be a threat against the Big Green.
Dartmouth has a handful of shining stars this season as well. Banghart and senior captain Bess Tortolani '98 are both averaging double figures in scoring while Erin Rewalt '99, O'Connor and Nicci Rinaldi '99 have shown excellent poise and confidence on the court.
In terms of common opponents the Red and the Green played in the preseason Ivy-Southern Challenge together back in November, Cornell fell twice -- losing to UT-Chattanooga 50-69 and dropping its second game to Appalachian State 73-78. Dartmouth, meanwhile, topped Appalachian State 85-60 before falling to UT-Chattanooga by eight points.
Tonight's game against the Big Red begins at 6:30. Tomorrow's game against the Lions also starts at 6:30.
