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The Dartmouth
March 29, 2024 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Women's soccer drops first Ivy game

Columbia tripped up Maggie Goldstein '10 and the Big Green Saturday, 2-0.
Columbia tripped up Maggie Goldstein '10 and the Big Green Saturday, 2-0.

"Our team is very disappointed by the loss and I guarantee that if we had the opportunity to play them again it would be a different game," Emily Tracy '07 said. "We are not happy with our overall performance, but in the long run it's only one game and hopefully we have a lot more to play."

Shannon Munoz scored a pair of goals for the Lions in the second half to secure Columbia's win in the match between the only two undefeated teams in the Ivy League going into the game. Dartmouth is the highest ranked opponent that the Lions have ever defeated.

Dartmouth played a strong first half, taking a total of four shots in the period. However, Columbia's goalkeeper Allison Vespa was able to turn away two shots on goal and maintain the shutout.

The two teams battled for possession in midfield through most of the first half and both teams were unable to convert any shots on goal. The score was tied at 0-0 when the teams retreated to the benches during the halftime break.

"We knew going into the game that they were going to be a tough team, especially because they were right behind us in the league," Tracy said.

Dartmouth came out hungry for goals in the second half and took three shots in the first five minutes of the half. However, none of the attempts were on the mark.

In the 60th minute, Lions forward Munoz gained possession of the ball after Dartmouth goalie Amanda Webb '08 knocked the ball 30 yards out to Munoz's feet on a goal kick. Munoz charged at the goal, was one-on-one with Webb and struck the ball swiftly into the goal on a low shot to the right corner.

Munoz's first goal was the first that Dartmouth had allowed in its last nine games.

The Big Green countered the Munoz goal with more pressure on the Columbia goal. However, the Lions defense was able to clear the ball and move it up to the midfield.

Columbia's second goal came in the 86th minute. Lions forward Sophie Reiser won the ball at midfield and passed it to Munoz, who proceeded to place the ball in the bottom right corner of the goal and put the game out of the Big Green's reach.

"We are certainly disappointed by the loss," Dartmouth head coach Angie Hind said. "I think there were some good chances that we should have scored on, but there is still a lot of soccer to be played."

Despite Dartmouth's distinct shot advantage, the Big Green was unable to finish opportunities, something that has troubled the team throughout the season.

"We need to continue to work on scoring goals. It doesn't matter if we outplay a team, what matters is how many balls go in the back of the net," Tracy said.

The loss to Columbia, while unfortunate for the Big Green, will not be the end of the road for Dartmouth's hopes for an NCAA berth and an Ivy League title. Dartmouth can still win or share an Ivy League Championship if the women in green win the last two games of the season and Columbia ties or loses one of its last two games.

Dartmouth will prepare for its last home game of the season against the Harvard Crimson at home on Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Big Green's Senior Day before finishing the regular season at Cornell on the Saturday following the Crimson match.

"I expect our team to bounce back from this loss and put everything we have into beating Harvard," Tracy said.