A strong start to the season can give players a psychological boost for later match-ups, and this season is already shaping up to be a successful run for the field hockey team, head coach Amy Fowler said.
"Any time you can start with your first couple of wins under your belt, it gives your team confidence going into more difficult games," she said.
The team began its official season on Sept. 2 with a 5-0 victory over Sacred Heart University to start off the Big Green Classic at Chase AstroTurf Field. Meagan Vakiener '12 manned the goal during the shut-out match, while Maya Herm '13 and co-captain Kelly Hood '12 scored two goals each on the offensive end, followed by a fifth goal by Samantha McPherson '13.
After scoring a combined seven goals in its first two contests, Sacred Heart was held scoreless for the first time in its three games this season. It was the first-ever meeting between the Pioneers and the Big Green.
Dartmouth continued its strong play on Sept. 4, beating Longwood University, 4-1, and taking the title at the Big Green Classic. Janine Leger '15 scored her first Dartmouth career goal and the opening goal of the game just 6.5 minutes in, followed by a goal by Longwood later in the half.
Both teams left the field at halftime tied at 1-1, but the Big Green managed to pull ahead during the closing period with three points scored by Hood, McPherson and Meghan Everett '12. Hood's goal against Longwood tied the program's all-time scoring record at 47.
Co-captain Kelly Bracco '12 said the games demonstrated that Dartmouth is well-equipped to compete with other schools during this promising Fall season.
"It's great to play against another team and know we can really beat people, and we don't just look good in practice," Bracco said. "Since it's still early in the season, we didn't really have much on the other teams, so we were prepared for them to stay in it until the end. We were proud of ourselves."
After the Classic, the Big Green took the season on the road to the University of Maine on Sept. 7. Despite a 7-3 loss, Hood scored her 48th Dartmouth goal, surpassing the program's all-time record, formerly held by Lauren Welsh '02.
Everett and Ali Savage '15 scored the other two goals against Maine.
The Big Green was also challenge by the University of New Hampshire on Sept. 11. Despite second-half goals by Hood and Lisa Masini '13, Dartmouth could not overcome the Wildcats, falling to UNH, 5-2.
Looking forward into the season, Fowler said both captains agree that the team aims to win the Ivy League Championship this year and finish in the top five in the region.
"I think ultimately our goal is to be the best that we can be every game," Fowler said. "We go into every game thinking that that is the most important game on our schedule. I do think that we have a squad that could come away with an Ivy League title, but there are a lot of things that need to come out on our end."
Hood and Bracco added that they hope to make a few improvements during preseason training to better prepare players for more competitive opponents.
"We need to be more accountable on defense and keeping the ball out of the circle," Hood said.
The team is very talented overall but could still benefit from practicing together more, according to Bracco.
"I think our confidence as a team playing together needs improvement," she stated. "I'm looking forward to playing with everyone more and meshing as a team."
