"When the computer said, tie,' the whole bus erupted," co-captain Nick Pappas '12 said. "It was one of the coolest things I've ever been a part of."
The tie between Columbia and Cornell gave Dartmouth (8-5-4, 4-1-2 Ivy) the League's automatic bid due to regular season records. On Monday, the final degree of uncertainty surrounding the Big Green's first-round matchup in the NCAA tournament was resolved, with Dartmouth drawing Providence College in the conference's selection show.
Dartmouth is one of only 12 Division I teams to make five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, and players are confident they can make a run for the national title this year. The Big Green reached the Sweet 16 last season before losing in double-overtime to eighth-ranked University of California, Los Angeles.
"I think we feel great," Pappas said. "It's awesome. Every team really has the same chance now and the hard part is getting in, but now that we're in, I like our chances."
The team plays at Providence (10-7-1, 5-3-1 Big East) on Thursday at 1 p.m. The winner will advance to face 15th-ranked University of California, Santa Barbara for a berth in the Sweet 16.
Dartmouth has historically played well against Providence, boasting an 11-2-1 all-time record against the Friars. The teams have not met since 2001, however, and Providence has only lost two of its last six games. The Friars earned an at-large tournament bid after losing to the University of Louisville in the first round of the Big East tournament.
The Big Green will count on several key players, including the offensive team of forward Lucky Mkosana '12 and midfielder Kevin Dzierzawski '13. Mkosana's 10 goals this season lead the League, and he set Dartmouth's all-time records in goals and points in the Big Green's win over Cornell on Nov. 5. Dzierzawski's seven assists are tied for first in the conference.
Goalkeeper Noah Cohen '14 will also need to play at a high level if Dartmouth is to challenge tough NCAA teams. Cohen has the second most shutouts in the League this season, and the Big Green has not lost a game that he has started since a 2-0 defeat to Yale University on Oct. 8.
Since Dartmouth played in Providence last weekend, the team's knowledge of the conditions and its ability to establish a routine will help players acclimate to tournament play, according to Pappas.
"It's going to be pretty familiar territory," he said.
Dartmouth has competed against many of the tournament's top seeds in recent years, giving the team an idea of the steep competition it will face. Powerhouse conference teams like the Friars regularly face ranked opposition, offering Providence a potential advantage in tournament play.
"We've played against teams that are pegged to do really well, so that gives us a lot of confidence as a team," Pappas said.
Pappas said the ability of players to stay healthy late into the season has also given the team a boost.
"This is one of the first years that we have had everyone healthy," he said. "The coach has done a really good job pushing us when we needed and easing back when we have been a little tired, so it has been a good balance."
Pappas added that the Big Green's balance of rookies and experienced players will help the team on Thursday.
"It's kind of nice that we have so many freshmen because sometimes it's better not knowing and not having expectations," he said. "But we also have experience and players who know about the pressure."
The team's newer players are not completely unfamiliar with important games, as Dartmouth played several crucial contests down the season's stretch.
"It's become basically every game has been a tournament game for us, so those kind of environments with having to keep winning have prepared us for an NCAA tournament setting," Pappas said.
