An early own goal helped end the Dartmouth men's soccer team's three-game losing streak, as the Big Green defeated the University of New Hampshire (9-6-2, 6-0-1 America East) 1-0 on Tuesday in Durham, N.H.
A deflection off a shot taken by co-captain Dan Keat '10 in the seventh minute was enough for Dartmouth (9-5-1, 3-2-0 Ivy) to hold on to a victory, in a match that saw the Wildcats outshoot the Big Green, 12-10.
The game also marked the third shutout of the season for rookie goalie Sean Donovan '13. Donovan's last shutout came against the No. 8 University of Connecticut (11-3-3, 8-2-1 Big East) on Sept. 11.
The quick goal came off of a long throw-in from defender Walker Linares '11. Keat latched on to the ball and shot but it was a deflection from a Wildcat defender that put the ball in the back of the net, for the sole goal of the contest.
The early lead jumpstarted the Big Green's offensive attacks. Just six minutes later, Keat fired off a shot that was blocked by Wildcat keeper Colin O'Donnell. Striker Lucky Mkosana '12 also tried to get his name on the scorecard in the 17th minute, but his effort went wide.
Windy conditions hindered scoring chances for both sides, and much of the first half was played in the midfield.
The Big Green's defense stood its ground and kept New Hampshire's first-half shots down to only four compared to Dartmouth's seven.
Donovan had to make a save in the 37th minute as the Wildcats found more scoring opportunities towards the end of half, but the Dartmouth defense prevented New Hampshire from gathering enough momentum off of any of its chances.
Although this was the first victory of the last four matches played for the Big Green, head coach Jeff Cook said that the main difference in team play was earning a shutout.
"We played very well in the first half, as I thought we had done for most of the Harvard game [last weekend]," he said. "The difference [Tuesday] night was the determination on part of the team not to concede a goal and to prevent UNH from scoring."
The Wildcats entered the second half with more resolve, doubling their shots on goal from the first period, to test Dartmouth eight times.
One New Hampshire effort came close in the 69th minute when striker Chris Banks saw his shot hit the post.
Donovan made another save six minutes later, concluding his game's total of two stops and securing him a shutout.
"I would have been very concerned had UNH equalized," Cook said. "They played well in the second half, but I thought we stood firm, and it was very important that we didn't let them in the game."
The Big Green finished the game with three more shots in the second half, with two coming from Mkosana and one from winger Andrew Olsen '11.
In the three losses preceding this game, Dartmouth has managed to score just once.
"In the first half particularly, we created a lot of good chances, and we have a lot of guys on the team that have scored in different situations," Cook said. "The key is to keep creating chances and goals will start coming. Eventually, the percentages will catch up."
Dartmouth will look to see that jump in goals in its next game, against Cornell (5-5-5, 0-2-3 Ivy). A against the Big Red is crucial to keep the team's Ivy League title hopes alive.
Currently, Dartmouth rests at second in the standings, tied with Brown (8-2-5, 3-2-0 Ivy), while No. 12 Harvard (11-3-1, 3-1-1 Ivy) has jumped up to first after its win over the Big Green last weekend. Cornell sits at the bottom of the standings.
Coming off of the win against New Hampshire, Dartmouth will now prepare for this Saturday's match with hopes of keeping its candidacy to qualify for the NCAA tournament.
"It will be a happier atmosphere as we prepare for Cornell [because of the win]," Cook said. "I have a lot of confidence in this team, and we have to take it one game at a time."
Co-captain and midfielder Craig Henderson '09, who has sat out the last five games as a result of a heel injury, is expected to return for the Cornell game, Cook said.
Cook is hopeful that Henderson, who was named to CoSIDA'a ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District first team along with defender Bryan Giudicelli '11, will be fit to play after the four-week sideline, he said.
Kickoff against Cornell is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday at Burnham Field.
