Co-captain Liz Spence '08 suggested that the loss was a result of mental lapses that, despite the effort and cohesiveness of the team, were ultimately costly.
"We played really hard. Every single person played really hard," Spence said. "We played together, which in some games in the past we haven't done, but we struggled with mental errors when it came down to the wire. We put ourselves in a position where we have to fight back in the very end, and we couldn't get it done."
With seven seconds left in the first half, Dartmouth (7-7, 3-4 Ivy) led Stanford (8-8, 3-2 Pac-10), 7-5. Eight minutes after the start of the second half, however, the Cardinals had flipped the advantage around to lead 10-8.
"We came out with all cylinders firing, but then fell into a lull and just played down to their game," Spence said.
With six and a half minutes left in the game, Dartmouth began a rally as co-captain Kristen Barry '08 put in a goal to cut the Cardinals' advantage to 11-9.
Two minutes later, Kat Collins '11 put in another goal to bring the game within one with 4:31 remaining.
The possession went back and forth in the last minutes of the game. With 12 seconds left to play, an out-of-bounds call gave Dartmouth the ball, but the lack of time and Stanford's strong defense proved too much for the Big Green to overcome to notch a late equalizer.
The Stanford surge started just before halftime with a save by Cardinal goalkeeper Laura Shane, one of 15 over the course of the game. Shane then fired a pass to Claire Hubbard, who put in a goal with just six seconds left to play in the period.
Less than three minutes into the second half, Stanford tied the score at 7-7. A goal by Collins, assisted by Cate Goytisolo '10, put the Big Green back in the lead, 8-7.
The advantage, however, was short-lived as the Cardinals tied the game again less than 30 seconds later. The score was the first in a series of four unanswered goals by Stanford and 20 minutes of scoreless play for Dartmouth.
The game was marked by long scoreless possessions by Dartmouth before and after the halftime break.
Dartmouth started off the game strong, scoring the first goal, which was answered shortly afterwards by a Stanford tally. Collins then put in a goal 7:28 into the first half to start a three-goal run by the Big Green.
According to Spence, the inconsistency of play was a major concern that the team will try to address before the Big Green's next and final game.
"I think we're going to have to work on consistency and staying consistent throughout the whole game, and playing our game and going our speed for the whole game," she said.
Collins led the team in scoring, with five goals and an assist. She was followed by Barry with three goals and Broghan Cully '11 with two tallies
Goaltender Julie Wadland '10 made eight saves. Spence and Kate Labrum '08 had strong defensive performances, causing two turnovers each and picking up seven combined ground balls.
Spence was impressed by the effort the team put into the game, but cited the team's need for mental resilience.
"I think the midfielders were working extremely hard," Spence said. "I think everyone's heart was really into it; we just need to work on discipline and our mental toughness."
The Big Green will face No. 11 Duke at home next Sunday for Dartmouth's final game of the season.
