The Big Green (11-6-2, 8-4-1 ECAC) held the top-ranked Wildcats (20-3-0) to one goal through the first forty minutes of play last Thursday, keeping the game tied until the final period when UNH managed to pull away with two goals to win the game.
"We expected UNH to be a great team. They are, of course, the No. 1 team in the country right now," Maggie Kennedy '09 said. "They were very good but we were able to play with them the entire game. They simply capitalized on their opportunities two more times than we did."
UNH took advantage of its first chance with a penalty shot that found the net seven minutes into the first period after a Big Green defender stood on the puck, causing a delay of game.
Dartmouth struck back five minutes later when Julia Bronson '09 tricked the Wildcat goaltender and slid the puck into the net, garnering her second goal of the season.
With the game tied at one, both defenses ramped up the intensity for 30 minutes of scoreless play until UNH managed to get a shot past goaltender Carli Clemis '09 in the final period. The Wildcats sealed their victory with another goal four minutes later.
Despite the absence of three-time ECAC player of the week, Jenna Cunningham '10, who is out due to an injury, the Big Green still managed to fire off more shots than New Hampshire.
Dartmouth's central problem seems to have been an inability to capitalize on power play opportunities; the Big Green had seven chances, including one three-on-five situation, but failed to convert any of them.
"I was pleased for the most part with how we played and competed in the game," coach Mark Hudak said. "The mistakes we made, although not many, cost us against a team that is number one in the country. We showed that we can compete and even out shoot a top-ranked team while missing one of our top goal scorers. This should allow us to move forward with some real positives."
The ninth-ranked Big Green traveled to face Boston College (8-9-5) on Sunday. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.
Dartmouth pulled ahead early on a goal by Carrie Thompson '08 but was answered by a score from BC three minutes later. Amanda Trunzo '11 struck back in the last minute of the first period with a breakaway goal.
Neither team scored during the second period but the Eagles put one in midway through the final period to tie the game for good. Clemis made 27 saves in the defensive effort.
"I thought we played very well for most of the game," Hudak said. "BC is a very good team with an outstanding goaltender who did make a difference for them at times. We still need to make adjustments here and there that should help us during this last part of the year. Our power play strategy in particular can use a little work."
Dartmouth will return to Boston to face Harvard on Jan. 27. The teams met earlier in the season and the Crimson emerged with a 2-1 victory.
