The Big Green women's field hockey team capped off a rollercoaster season Sunday with an impressive road victory against Cornell. Coming off a win versus Holy Cross, Dartmouth was determined not to end the season on a low note. Playing the last collegiate games of their careers, Allison Welsh '05, Ashley Choren '05, Kelly Storer '05 and the Dartmouth Big Green outscored Cornell 5-2, leaving no doubt in the minds of their opponents as to which team was superior.
Dartmouth dominated the first half in shots on goal, 13-4, and penalty corners 5-2, as Welsh recorded the final goal of her career at the 18:08 mark off of an assist by Audrey Knutson '07. Dartmouth's lead was reinforced by the first of Nina Fulmer's '06 two goals just five minutes later. Determined to solidify their lead, Abby Brown '07 assisted Addie Downing's '07 first career goal.
With tremendous momentum, Dartmouth came out of the half firing again. Katy Hagy '08 delivered her first career goal, giving the Big Green a 4-0 advantage just 46 seconds into the half. Recording five more shots and three more penalty corners, Dartmouth's accuracy on the offensive end increased dramatically, as Fulmer notched her second goal of the game with just 2:26 left to go.
Despite Dartmouth's offensive dominance throughout the whole game, Cornell managed to climb back slowly into the game. Danielle Dunn recorded two goals for the Big Red in the second half allowing a glimmer of hope for a Cornell victory. However, Dartmouth managed to hang on to their lead and end with a winning Ivy League record (4-3).
During the second half, Ashley Heist '08 made her collegiate debut in the goal making two stops of Cornell shots. Lauren Balukjian '06 also posted a save and recorded the win for the Dartmouth field hockey team, ending the season with an 8-9 record. Cornell's Lori Blutinger made seven saves in Cornell's 13th loss of the season.
The Dartmouth women's field hockey team showed tremendous potential throughout the season. During their impressive victories over nationally ranked Syracuse, a solid Holy Cross team, and Cornell, the Big Green showed flashes of this potential. Dartmouth always seemed resilient after heartbreaking losses to teams such as Harvard, demonstrating tremendous grit and determination throughout the entire season. Saying goodbye to three seniors, Dartmouth looks forward to a promising 2005 field hockey season.
