The 13-11 loss against Yale (5-4, 2-2 Ivy) last Saturday was the team's seventh consecutive defeat. In the game, the Big Green had more turnovers and suffered more penalties than the Bulldogs but trumped Yale in total game saves. Kip Dooley '12 and Nikki Dysenchuk '13 both registered hat tricks, Brendan Rotanz '14 and Mike Olentine '14 each had two goals and Anthony Fulham '13 put one in the net.
"We have had a lot of close games this season, and I really think it's our time for a big win this Saturday," Rotanz said.
Olentine, a Princeton, N.J. native, said he is excited to go home to take on the Tigers (7-3, 3-0 Ivy).
"Going back to Princeton and playing in my hometown definitely makes this a special game for me in addition to the must-win atmosphere," Olentine said. "Rather than added pressure, I see it as a positive that more of my friends and family will be able to watch us play than usual."
Olentine said his role in recent games has been to provide a second and third-quarter offensive spark.
"I'm hoping that on Saturday I make the most of my opportunities on the offensive end, whether that means a goal, assist or getting one of my teammates open," he said.
Offensive pressure is going to be necessary if the Big Green wants to pull out a win against the Tigers. So far this season, the team hasn't been able to score above 11 goals in a single game, while its opponents have eclipsed that mark five times. Princeton is leading the all-time series against the Big Green with a 51-8 overall record and a 29-1 record at home. Dartmouth's only win against Princeton on the road came in 2003.
"We can match up really well against them," Rotanz said. "If we just play our game and don't make too many mental mistakes, I believe we'll win the game."
Olentine noted that one of the team's primary goals at the beginning of the season was to make the Ivy League Tournament. If Dartmouth gives up the upcoming game against Princeton, the team will drop to 0-4 in conference play and will be eliminated from playoff contention.
"Coach [Andrew] Towers understands that this is a must-win game and has articulated the importance of practicing with a sense of urgency this week," Olentine said. "He's told us that if we play to our potential, we have a chance of returning to Hanover with our first Ivy victory [this season]."
Prior to the Yale contest, Dartmouth lost 7-5 to Cornell (9-1, 4-0 Ivy) and 15-10 to Harvard (6-5, 2-1 Ivy). In the Cornell game, Dysenchuk had a hat trick, and Dooley and Rotanz each put a point on the board.
Against the Crimson, Dooley had another hat trick; Rotanz and Colin Delaney '15 each scored two tallies; and Chris Costabile '13, Patrick Resch '14 and Drew Tunney '12 each registered one point. Tunney leads the Big Green in points scored with 28. Dysenchuk is second with 17, and Costabile, Dooley and Olentine round out the top five.
"I really want to see our team in the Ivy League Tournament this season," Rotanz said. "If we beat Princeton, that keeps our hopes alive. I'm going to try and not make any unforced turnovers and make the plays to put my team in a winning position."
Since the Big Red is the only team to have clinched a spot in the Ivy League Tournament thus far, this weekend will carry significant playoff implications. The Ancient Eight will be jostling for position as they reach the half-way point in a competitive Ivy League season.
The game between the Big Green and Princeton will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Class of 1952 Stadium in Princeton, N.J.
Dooley is a member of The Dartmouth Staff.
