In a game that the Dartmouth women's soccer team (3-7, 1-1 Ivy) needed to get back into the race for the Ivy League crown, the Big Green got a late winner from Maggie Goldstein '10 in the 86th minute to defeat Yale 1-0. Both teams had their share of chances throughout the game, but it was the Big Green who came through in the clutch and broke Yale's six-game winning streak.
Co-captain Annie Stanley '08 spoke to the importance of the victory.
"We know that every Ivy game is going to be a battle," Stanley said. "Coming in to the game 0-1 in Ivy League play, it was a must-win game for us."
In the first half, there were few goal-scoring opportunities as both defenses played well, keeping the offenses in check. Dartmouth goalkeeper Laurel Peak '09 was not tested much in opening half, as she only had to make one save.
Offensively, the Big Green struggled and was only able to get two shots on goal, both of which were saved by Yale's Susan Starr.
The second half featured much more offense for both teams. To open the second half, Myra Sack '10 nearly put the Big Green ahead when she drilled a shot from 25 yards out, which deflected off the crossbar.
The Bulldogs had a three-minute sequence beginning in the 50th minute where they had three corner kick opportunities and launched five shots, but Peak and the defense were able to keep Yale off the scoreboard.
Yale would continue to set the pace in the second half, maintaining statistical advantages in all categories except the one that matters most -- goals.
Goldstein picked up the lone score on the game on a direct free kick in the 86th minute from 25 yards out, burying the ball into the top left corner, out of the reach of Yale goalkeeper Sumiyasu Ayana.
The goal was Goldstein's fourth of the season and her second straight game with a score. Goldstein has established herself as the team's long-range sniper, as all four of her scores have been from outside the 18-yard box this year.
Yale would make one last attempt to come back and level the game. Bulldog midfielder Mary Kuder almost knotted the score when she hit a left-footed shot in the 89th minute, only to have it go inches wide of the far post.
Yale outshot Dartmouth 10-4 in the second half, and held a 5-0 advantage in corners. However, the Big Green made better use of its chances, as Dartmouth actually held a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Peak made three saves on the night to earn the clean sheet.
In order to get the squad back on track, the team kept it simple, according to Stanley.
"We spent all week focusing on us," Stanley said. "We worked on getting back to the basics and playing simply and possessing the ball, and that was very apparent in the Yale game."
The Big Green women will have little time to rest, since they will be back in action at Boston University tonight. The Terriers are 5-5-1 on the season and are coming off a 4-0 victory over Albany.
