The contest was one of the most successful outings for the Big Green this season, as the seniors played exceptionally in their final game at Scully-Fahey field, and the freshmen made significant contributions, suggesting that Dartmouth lacrosse could be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.
"We talked before the game about needing to win this one for the seniors," head coach Amy Patton said. "I know that maybe this season wasn't exactly what they were hoping for, but with all of the things that they have done for our program and the dedication they have shown, the least we could do was to send them out with a win today."
With the win, Dartmouth (9-6, 4-3 Ivy) secured a winning record for the season. Boston College (5-10, 1-4 ACC) has now lost four straight games. Under Patton's tenure, the Big Green has never lost to the Eagles.
This season, the Big Green has had a peculiar habit of either dominating out of the gate or coming out completely flat. Against Boston College, Dartmouth was able to get off to a phenomenal start by scoring the game's first seven goals and keeping the Eagles grounded. Co-captain Whitney Douthett '07, Jen Pittman '07, Colleen Olsen '10, Sarah Szefi '07 and Katharine Chiusano '09 all tallied in the first half. Boston College squeaked out a goal at the end of the half to prevent being shutout, but the Big Green went into the break with an 8-1 lead.
In the second half, Boston College made a spirited comeback, but the seven-goal deficit was too much to overcome. For the Big Green, Douthett, Pittman, Chiusano and Eliza Bennett '10 all had goals in the second half. At the end of the game the Big Green women, despite pressure and rough play from the Eagles, were able to milk away the remaining time and preserve the victory.
"The keep-away at the end was phenomenal. They played a little rough at the end and we could have lost our cool, but our stickhandlers did a really good job keeping possession," Patton said.
Pittman led all scorers with four goals, while Szefi had three assists on the day. Co-captain Margo Duke '07 led the defense with four ground balls and anchored the defense with fellow senior Michelle Shortsleeve '07. Kate Fauth '10 and Alex Huestis '10 both had exceptional all-around games to highlight a stellar day for the freshman class.
Julie Wadland '10 played the entire game in goal and made eight saves to earn the win.
There was nothing but praise from Patton at the end of this one.
"Today was the first time since the Cornell game that we've been able to actually do the things we've been doing in practice," Patton said. "For the seniors, I think this was the first time all year that they've been able to go out there and just have fun and it was really nice to get the win for them. We also saw a lot of our freshmen step up so we were setting up for next year as well."
On Saturday, May 6, the Big Green will close out the 2007 season with an away contest at Durham, N.C., against national powerhouse Duke. The Blue Devils, currently ranked sixth in the nation, are coming off of a 12-11 defeat in the ACC tournament to bitter rival North Carolina
