The team must win the League championship in order to receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, according to co-captain Shannon MacKenzie '11. The four best teams in the League qualify for the conference tournament.
MacKenzie and co-captain Greta Meyer '11 said the team has several goals for this season, including an undefeated season against all League opponents, consistently winning the ball at the draw and winning more "50-50 balls."
Although the Big Green's failure to win the League tournament last year ended an otherwise successful season on a sour note, the loss fueled the team's focus in the off-season, according to MacKenzie.
"[The loss] made us a lot hungrier and more determined," she said. "We know what we want and what we missed out on last year."
The team also hopes to build on last year's success with a consistent roster, as the veteran team graduated few seniors last year.
"Most of us have been playing since our freshman year," MacKenzie said, in reference to the team's junior and senior players.
MacKenzie added that the team's experience is one of the Big Green's greatest strengths, which she believes will benefit the team's offensive talent and create a strong roster.
"[Meyer] and [tri-captain Kat Collins '11] are easily two of the best attackers in the Ivy League," MacKenzie said.
Meyer echoed Mackenzie's belief in the team's experience, noting that most of the Big Green's starters are returning members. Dartmouth has seven seniors and seven juniors on its roster.
The Big Green's upperclassman-dominated lineup is not an indicator of a weak freshman class, however, midfielder Dana Brisbane '12 said.
"We have nine freshmen this year," Brisbane said. "They're all really hard workers, really athletic and pushing the upperclassmen to do better every day."
Meyer said the team has stressed fundamental skills in its off-season training.
"We're really good at doing small things and working together," she said. "I think our biggest weakness is consistent confidence."
The Big Green coaching staff emphasized stick skills and improving overall team fitness in the off-season, MacKenzie said, adding that head coach Amy Patton created several new strategies for the offense.
"I think we're really prepared," MacKenzie said, citing the team's play in two off-season scrimmage games. "We've got out our first game jitters."
The team will begin its season on Saturday against the University of New Hampshire, which the Big Green lost to last season, 9-8. Although Dartmouth hopes to make up for last year's loss, Meyer said the team's in-state rivalry with UNH is relatively insignificant compared to its later-season games against League opponents such as Penn.
"This year, we think it's our turn," Meyer said.
The Big Green plays UNH in Hanover at 12 p.m. on Saturday.
