Dartmouth started the match strongly, as the wide midfielders Tom Lobben '08 and Michael Ordonez '08 played a very active role in the 4-5-1 formation, supported by runs from Peter Savidis '07 and Matt Carroll '09. However, shots by striker Mark Limpert '07, Carroll and Ordonez all failed to find the back of the net, as they were either saved by Brown goalkeeper Jarrett Leech or flew wide of the target.
The Bears did not create too much work for Big Green keeper Rowan Anders '07 throughout the first half, as they only managed to fire three shots on goal. In spite of having 13 shots in the first half, five of which were directly on target, the Big Green failed to capitalize on their domination and take the lead.
"The first half of the game was the best we have played all year. Brown is a great team and we thoroughly controlled that half," said head coach Jeff Cook after the game.
"The balls just didn't bounce the way I wanted them to," said Ordonez.
The second half started in a similar manner, as a Mark Limpert shot was cleared off the line by the Brown defense in the 52nd minute. Just as Dartmouth's frustration with its inability to score was becoming more obvious, a spark of brilliance by rookie standout Daniel Keat '10 gave Dartmouth the lead. After good teamwork on the left side by Ordonez and Savidis, the fifth-year senior sent a venomous cross into the Bear's area. With his back towards the goal, Keat fired a splendid bicycle kick over his left shoulder straight into the top corner of Brown's goal, leaving Leech stranded, and his teammates and the fans speechless.
"You won't see a better goal than that in any level of soccer," said Cook after the game. "I don't think I saw the goal at all. It just happened," said Keat after the second goal of his collegiate career.
However, the Big Green did not manage to hold their lead for long, as Brown managed to even the score at 63:30, only four minutes later. Bryan Joyce exploited a temporary weakness in the right side of Dartmouth's defense and sent a perfect cross into the area for Dylan Sheehan. The striker, who was left completely unmarked, headed the ball past Anders' desperate efforts.
"We didn't handle the lead well, we got too excited. From that point on, the game looked like a draw," admitted Cook.
The game could have easily gone Brown's way. In the 68th minute, two Brown forwards found themselves alone against Anders, but failed to react adequately and convert.
"We dominated the first half and should have gotten a result out of it, but Brown is one of the best teams in the Ivy League," said Keat after the game.
"We have a lot better team than last season. I am sure that the goals will come, and hopefully it will be in our next game, on Tuesday," added Ordonez.
Dartmouth moved to 2-2-3 overall (0-0-1 Ivy), while Brown's record stands at 5-1-1 (0-0-1 Ivy). The Big Green's next game is on Tuesday, Sept. 26, when the team travels to Fairfield for a 7 p.m. kick-off.
