Coming off an almost-identical 2-1 loss to Columbia University on Saturday, the Big Green (6-6-1, 1-3 Ivy) was looking to get back on track in the hopes of securing an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. A win against the nationally-ranked Eagles would have helped their cause, but with the loss, Dartmouth will be a long shot at best to make the field.
Head coach Jeff Cook said he was impressed with the way his team played throughout the game, but expressed his frustration at their inability to close games out.
"We played extremely well," Cook said. "For long spells, we frustrated BC and created opportunities for ourselves. I feel like a bit of a broken record, but they put everything into the game and came up on the wrong end of the result, again."
Of the Big Green's six losses this season, five have been by a single goal.
The Eagles eliminated Dartmouth from last year's NCAA tournament in heartbreaking fashion, as their sophomore Isaac Taylor fired home an extra-time winner to end the Big Green's season. Even with the opportunity for revenge, Cook said he had his players focused on the here and now.
"I think every year is different," Cook said. "This particular game had a lot of meaning for us in the 2010 season. We're developing a good rivalry with BC."
Dartmouth and the Eagles also met in the 2008 NCAA tournament, but the Big Green was victorious that day, prevailing 4-2 on penalty kicks after the teams went goalless through extra-time. That year, the Big Green was eventually eliminated in the round of 16 to defending national champion Wake Forest University.
After a scoreless first half on Wednesday, Taylor broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, taking a pass from sophomore forward Charlie Rugg and blasting it home from 10 yards out.
"We defended pretty well overall, but we're making mistakes in areas that will kill you in games played at a high level," Cook said.
Dartmouth pulled level 20 minutes later as defender Teo Larsson-Sax '13 headed home a goal from close range with help from Lucky Mkosana '12.
Aburmad, a junior college All-American two years ago, was there one minute from time for the winner, extending the Eagles' unbeaten streak to seven games.
"[Aburmad] is a very creative attacking player," Cook said. "To be honest, there are not a lot of college soccer players who can create and finish the goal he scored today."
Cook said he is pleased overall with Dartmouth's performance, but the result was the latest disappointment in a season where Dartmouth has performed just below the level necessary to pull out results.
"Our most significant weakness today was that we were defending too deep," Cook said. "We're becoming a little bit tentative and we get caught in positions closer to our goal. Boston College recorded two shots on goal and scored two goals."
During the game, the shots were fairly evenly contested, with BC holding a slight 13-12 advantage. The Big Green were able to get four on target to the Eagles' two. Unfortunately for Dartmouth, sophomore goalkeeper Justin Luthy was able to turn away three of those shots, while Missimer did not tally a save.
Dartmouth has four games remaining. The Big Green will next be in action on Homecoming weekend as it takes on Harvard University Saturday night at home at 7:00 p.m.
