Dartmouth women's soccer team hosted the University of Vermont Catamounts yesterday at Chase Field. The Green entered the game at 4-2-0, while the Catamounts arrived with a record of 3-7-0.
Right from the opening whistle, Dartmouth controlled the flow of the game. Vermont would not get a single player into Dartmouth's box for the game's first 10:45.
The Green capitalized early, cashing in 5:31 into the game. Jessica Post '01 set up Laura Trouille '03 right in front after Jen Murray '01 freed the ball from the sideline, and Trouille put away her second scoring chance of the game.
Dartmouth kept the pressure up, and narrowly missed a couple of chances on shots that went just high. Vermont freshman goalkeeper Katie Duffy was tested often and was forced to make three tough saves in the early going to keep the game from turning into a rout.
With 23:10 remaining, forward Devon Haskell '03 lobbed a centering pass over her head after chasing down a loose ball. Post corralled it and buried it in the corner, giving the Green a 2-0 lead.
Dartmouth never let off on the Catamounts, breaking up every attempt to bring the ball into Dartmouth territory. The tenacity paid off again with 15:58 remaining, as midfielder Jamie Lang '02 intercepted a pass, dribbled the ball into the box, and drilled it into the lower corner for a three-goal edge.
The scored remained 3-0 going into the half, and Dartmouth Coach Erica Walsh substituted for most of her starters.
Dartmouth's style changed somewhat after the half.
When Dartmouth carried the attack deep into Catamount territory, the short field playmaking of Post, Murray and Laura Ashley '03 were no longer there to create the beautiful scoring chances. Also, Vermont became much more physical, making it hard for Dartmouth's forward to maneuver in enemy territory.
The result was many more long balls that the team's strikers couldn't catch up to. Though Dartmouth still dominated the field possession, they got off only three shots on goal in the first 30 minutes.
Dartmouth finally made the long ball attack work with 15:24 remaining as midfielder Kristen Sramek '03 sent a gorgeous ball into the box. Katie Price '02, a 5'3" forward, out-jumped backup goalie Brooke Fairbanks and headed the ball into the net.
Vermont made a last ditch effort to salvage some pride with a late goal, but backup keeper Julia Shields '04 made a great diving stop, and Emily Odegard '03 cleared the ball of the line.
For the game, Dartmouth out shot Vermont 18-6, the story told in that simple stat. The game ended as a 4-0 triumph for the Green, pushing their record to 5-2-0 going into this weekend's home match against the Yale Bulldogs.
"In order to make a run at the [Ivy league] title, this is a must win game," Post said.
