After losing its first three games of the season, the Dartmouth womens soccer team (1-3) finally saw a bright light on cold and wet Chase Field yesterday afternoon in defeating the University of Vermont (2-5), 1-0.
On a soggy, slow field under continuous misty rain, the Big Green dominated their first home game to put an end to its worst start in 18 years.
"[It was] a big win because it started us on the right road for the rest of the season," senior Katherine Roda 00 said.
"[It] was the first time we really put things together as a team. It felt awesome to finally get the 'W, and Im hoping that we can continue to play on the same page, so to speak, for the rest of the season," she added.
The lone goal of the game came from an elegant play by two senior forwards, Jessica Post 00 and Melissa Roth 00.
After missing a one-on-one scoring chance a few minutes earlier, Post finally found the back of the net inthe 20th minute on a pass from Roth.
Roth gave a cross pass from the right side to Post, who quickly drove the ball past Vermont goalkeeper Brooke Fairbanks. The goal was Posts second of the season.
Jen Murray 01 and Mary McVeigh 03 joined veterans Roth and Post in Dartmouth offense which had 13 shots on the Vermont goal. But the Catamounts freshman goalkeeper made several key saves to keep the game close. Fairbanks made 12 saves in the contest.
"We could have had many more goals based on the number of opportunities we had in front of the net but well take what we can get," Murray said.
It was also the Big Greens defense that earned the win. During most of the first half, the Dartmouth defense didnt allow Vermont to get past the halfline.
Even during the Catamounts comeback late in the game, Dartmouths solid defense and All-American goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill 01 kept the ball away from the Dartmouth goal.
Luckenbill ended the contest with three saves for her 18th career shutout.
"I thought we finally came together as a united team on the field today, despite the field conditions," McVeigh said. "We showed ourselves and all who were present that we should not be counted out just yet."
The Catamounts has a12-7-3 lead in the twin-state series, but with yesterdays win, the Big Green holds a 7-0-1 advantage since 1992.
"It feels amazing to have a win under our belts, and now we are going to carry this confidence into the rest of our season," Abby Gillard 01 said.
With yesterdays win, Dartmouth hopes to start a winning trend when it hosts Princeton on Sunday.
"I hope this win will settled our frazzled nerves and give us the boost we need to secure an Ivy League win on Sunday," McVeigh said.
The game will start at 12 p.m. on Chase Field.
