By Grace Crandall
The Dartmouth Staff
Dartmouth's No. 3 ranked women's lacrosse team (1-1) hit the field for its second game of the season last Saturday. Matching up against the unranked University of New Hampshire, the Lady Laxers posted their first victory with an easy 12-5 win.
The UNH Wildcats jumped into the lead in the first two minutes of play, as Alexa Webster corralled a loose ball in front of the net and found a space past goalkeeper Devon Wills '06. Just three minutes, later the Big Green came back as Whitney Douthett '07 set up Kristen Zimmer '06 for her second tally of the season. Zimmer was an integral part of the game for the Big Green with six caused turnovers and five ground balls.
The Wildcats returned fire with back-to-back goals by freshman Sarah Von Bargen. In serious danger of opening the year 0-2, the Big Green finally got fed up and decided it was time to put the hammer down.
Jen Pittman '07 and Kristen Barry '08 both found the back of the net, capitalizing on consecutive free positions. Soon after Barry's free position was marked on the scoreboard, Annie Leibovitz '06 secured Dartmouth's lead for the remainder of the game with an unassisted goal at the 13:38 mark. Leibovitz's score was followed by two more from teammates Douthett and Barry, who notched her second goal of the contest at 15:58.
Up 6-3, Dartmouth looked to have the game under control, but UNH still had some fight left in it. Wildcat senior Katie Leland converted on a free position attempt to cut UNH's deficit to two. Once again, Dartmouth fired back with a goal from attack Kate Labrum '08. UNH posted its last goal of the game as Von Bargen notched her third and final tally, giving her a hat trick with just under two minutes left in the first half. Dartmouth stayed strong and closed out the opening frame with a 7-5 lead.
The Big Green defense stepped it up and made its presence known throughout the second half of play. Willis only needed to make three saves in the period, keeping the Wildcats scoreless.
"The attack and midfield threw UNH off because they re-defended so hard," Willis said. "UNH had a difficult time getting the ball down the field. The defense did a great job and worked really well together," said Wills, a first team all-Ivy and third team All-America selection.
Dartmouth's defensive excellence is well known throughout the NCAA, as both Wills and Lizzy Cuneo '06 were recognized as preseason contenders for this year's Tewaaraton Trophy, along with junior attack Douthett. Cuneo, a standout on the defensive end, was named second team All-Ivy and a regional All-America last season.
Douthett, a first team All-Ivy and second team All-American, made program history last season by topping the 30 mark in both goals and assists, recording 31 of each. The Tewaaraton Trophy is awarded annually to the top male and female collegiate lacrosse players across the country, chosen by a panel of college lacrosse coaches.
The second half only saw offensive action from the Big Green's side, posting five more goals. Both Pittman and Leibovitz threw back their second goals of the game, with Douthett posting three. Midfielder Casey Hazel '06, tallied two points for the afternoon with a goal and an assist in the second half.
The Big Green women will host their first game at Scully-Fahey Field on March 8 when they face off against UMass at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
