The Dartmouth women's soccer team closed out its season on a high note on Saturday, beating Cornell University, 1-0, at home on senior day. The Big Green (4-12-0, 2-5-0 Ivy) finished the season in a tie with Columbia University for sixth place in the League.
Dartmouth came out fighting in its final game, easily surpassing the Big Red both offensively and defensively throughout the matchup.
"Words can't really describe it, it's surreal," co-captain Erin Fleischli '12 said. "It was a great way to go out, definitely how we wanted to end the season."
Midfielder Ally Dutton '12 scored 31 minutes into the game, when the ball came into the box from the right side and Libby Hamlin '13 passed to an open Dutton, who shot it in the open net with relative ease. The game's first goal also marked Dutton's first collegiate career goal.
From then on, it was smooth sailing for the Big Green. Although the ball was contained in the midfield for the game's first 15 minutes, Dartmouth intensified its play and refused to fall victim to a static offense.
Tasha Wilkins '15, a standout freshman player and Dartmouth's leading scorer, almost put another point on the board just seconds after Dutton's goal. Wilkins fired a shot above Cornell senior goalie Kelly Murphy's reach. The ball looked like it would sneak in right below the crossbar, but went just over.
Midfielder Marina Moschitto '14 led Dartmouth's offense with four shots in the contest. Dutton and Aly O'Dea '12 added two shots apiece.
Dutton said that although the Big Green has struggled with its offense this season, it held nothing back in the final game.
"We did a good job attacking and creating chances even though we've struggled with it this season," she said. "We weren't timid with our offense."
O'Dea came close to scoring in the 34th minute of play. After Dutton intercepted a pass at midfield, she fired it upfield to O'Dea, who took a shot from about 25 yards out that went just wide of the net.
Dartmouth's other offensive threats came from all over the field, with defender Aurelia Solomon '13 also stepping up to take a shot.
The Big Green settled into its 1-0 lead in the second half of play, slowing down the game's pace. Goalie Colleen Hogan '12 said doing so was a smart decision for the team.
"At the end, we did a good job of recognizing that being up was good enough," she said. "We played it safe with the ball because winning 1-0 was good enough for us."
The Dartmouth defense held Cornell (2-13-1, 0-6-1 Ivy) to just one shot in the first half, while Dartmouth registered seven attempts on goal. Cornell was stifled by the Big Green, which thwarted every one of the Big Red's attempts to bring the ball up the field in the first half. Although Cornell nearly matched Dartmouth's shot total in the second half, the Big Green goal was never in danger.
Hogan registered her third shutout of the season, totaling three saves in the contest.
Dutton said she was proud of how the players finished the season.
"The soccer we play now is better than the soccer we played in August," Dutton said. "That's what you hope for in the season. To end feeling confident is the best you can ask for."
It was a sentimental match for the five Dartmouth seniors who played the final game of their collegiate careers. Dutton, Fleischli, Hogan, O'Dea and Anna Chinco '12 were all honored in a ceremony prior to the game.
Hogan said she hopes to see the team flourish in the future.
"Hopefully when we come back we'll see them do really well," she said. "It's a young team so next year will be very exciting."
