Barring a collapse of Boston Red Sox proportions, it appears the Princeton Tigers, ranked No. 7 in the nation, will win their eighth straight Ivy League field hockey title. The race for second place and the outside chance of an NCAA bid, however, remains wide open. Dartmouth (10-4, 2-2 Ivy) can take a huge step toward that second spot this afternoon with a win at Harvard (7-5, 3-1 Ivy).
After losing to the Crimson, 3-1, last year in Hanover, the Big Green is once again looking for revenge.
"This game is huge for us," said goalie and co-captain Kirsten Anderson '02. "It is not only an Ivy League game, but a crucial regional matchup."
The Crimson enters the game trying to rebound from its first Ivy loss of the year, a 5-2 decision against the Tigers. Dartmouth is looking to extend its winning streak to five games and hoping to build on an emotional overtime win at Massachusetts.
Anderson is confident about her team's chances. "The team is fired up, and we are playing as a united front up and down the field," she said.
The Dartmouth defense will have to contain forwards Mina Pell and Philomena Gambale, who lead the Crimson in scoring, as well as freshman sensation Kate Gannon.
Dartmouth will counter with its own one-two punch of forwards Lauren Welsh '03 and Rebekka Stucker '04. With two statistically similar teams, it will be the team that does the little things well that will walk away with the win.
Anderson is confident that Dartmouth is ready. "With the passion and heart the team is playing with right now, I think we are completely prepared to win Friday."
Men's Rugby: The Dartmouth ruggers travel down to Providence tomorrow to face Brown in a game that will determine if they are playoff bound. Dartmouth needs a win to secure a spot in the Spring NCAA tournament. "This is what the season has come down to," said captain Matthew Sullivan '02.
