The Big Green proved that their team was stronger and fiercer than rival No. 3 Princeton Saturday as they notched a 12-9 victory, their 13th consecutive win of the season, and earned the title of Ivy League champions.
The Ivy title was the first for No. 4 Dartmouth since 2003 when the Big Green shared the crown with Princeton and Yale. It was the 10th title in Dartmouth's history and the first outright championship since 2000. With the Ivy League crown, the Big Green earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA championships.
The score was deadlocked during first 30 minutes of the game at 6-6. Dartmouth seniors Katieanne Christian and Sarah Sanborn gave the Big Green a quick 2-0 lead in the opening 1:26, before Princeton's Lindsey Biles and Kathleen Miller answered for a 2-2 tie. The Big Green held a 6-4 lead on freshman Kristen Barry's goal with 3:23 to go before Tiger Katie Lewis-Lamonica had a pair of free position goals for the 6-6 score.
The Big Green jogged out of the locker room focused and ready to change the pace of the game. Sophomore Jen Pittman put on a show for the crowd with a career high of four goals.
Just 26 seconds into the second half Pittman went to goal and scored unassisted. She then got a free position and scored her third goal bringing the score to 8-6 with 5:12 off the clock. Barry followed Pittman's pair of goals with a pair of her own, sandwiched around one from Princeton's Christine Dobrosky.
With 13:19 left in the second half Dartmouth led the competition 10-7. Less than a minute later Princeton's Lewis-Lamonica scored to bring the Tigers within two. However, Christian and Pittman each ripped shots past the Tigers goalkeeper just four minutes apart.
The Big Green led 12-8 with five minutes left on the clock. The Lady Laxers kept their composure, staying strong on defense and keeping offensive possession until the clock ran out. Dartmouth outshot Princeton 25-20, including 15-10 in the second half.
Dartmouth's defense played an integral role in the win Saturday. They had 17 caused turnovers and held Princeton's leading scorer, Biles, to only two goals.
"Understanding our defense starts with our attackers," said senior co-captain Erin Osborn. "I think that's one of the strongest things about our team is our re-defending. We just have so much heart. And every time we turnover the ball, no one puts their heads down. Every single person on this team just goes after it."
In front of the nets, Dartmouth's Devon Wills '06 made six saves, five of which came in the second half. The Tigers' Sarah Kolodner made four saves before retiring for the day. Colleen O'Boyle made one save in the final 23:22 minutes of the game. Defenders Christian and Kristen Zimmer '06 are tied for 20th in the national rankings in ground balls, each with 3.09 per game.
"This is definitely one of the most special teams I have ever coached," said head coach Amy Patton. "The seniors deserved this. They have been the heart and soul of this team, and I'm so proud." Christian, Sanborn, Osborn and Skypeck round out the senior class and will set foot on the field for three more regular season games. The Big Green will make a road trip to face off against No. 6 Boston University on April 27.
