"We played pretty well," said Monica Martin de Bustamante '08, the team's most prolific scorer this season. "Vermont was a tough side to play against and it took us a while to adjust to their playing style, but once we did we proved that we were the better team."
Sarah Johnson '07 scored both goals for the Big Green, while goalkeeper Amanda Webb '08 made three saves to record her third shutout of the season.
"We saw a very special performance from Sarah Johnson today and were delighted to see her hard work pay off with two goals," head coach Angie Hind said.
Dartmouth had many opportunities to score in the game, out-shooting Vermont 24-4 overall, but had trouble finishing.
"The game against UVM began slow, but in the end we absolutely dominated them," Johnson said. "Throughout the game we had possession most of the time and should have scored a ton more goals."
Johnson's first goal didn't arrive until the 38:29 mark as she scored unassisted on a 22-yard free kick and became the 12th Dartmouth player to score at least once this season. The Big Green entered halftime with a 10-4 shooting advantage.
In the 53rd minute, Emily Tracy '07 was fouled in the penalty box. Johnson took the penalty kick and earned her second goal of the season.
An aggressive line of Dartmouth defensive midfielders halted most Vermont advances. Emily Forline '09, at center midfield, was recognized by her teammates as key in the successful defensive endeavor against the Catamounts, while Megan Wijas '07 switched the balls well for the Big Green.
Dartmouth opens the Ivy season when it hosts Brown at home on Sunday. The Bears (4-2-2) are currently ranked 25th by the Soccer American poll.
"Ivy League games are always extremely intense and competitive but I think we are ready for a good game," Martin de Bustamante said. "Brown has gotten some good results throughout the pre-season so it should be a tough game, but we will definitely come out ready to play."
At first glance, Brown, who finished with a 1-4-2 record in the Ivy League and graduated seven seniors and five starters from the 2005 season, might not appear too intimidating to the Big Green. However, the Bears are not a slight opponent.
Brown has senior co-captain Kathryn Moos, who was named Ivy League Player of the Week after helping the Bears capture wins over then-No. 13 Boston College and Sacred Heart. In addition, nine of Brown's 10 losses last season were by one point.
In Dartmouth's last meeting with Brown, also a league opener for the two teams, Wijas scored the lone goal for Dartmouth off a Johnson indirect kick.
"I can't wait to play Brown," Johnson said. "I have heard they are better this year than any other season we have played them, and so are we. So it should be a great game, and playing at home is always so fun."
