Dartmouth notched its fourth tie of the season Saturday night in its scoreless match against Yale University at Burnham Field. The Big Green (3-3-4, 0-0-3 Ivy) outshot the Bulldogs (5-2-3, 0-1-2 Ivy) 16-7 on the night in a back-and-forth battle that extended its home unbeaten streak to 17 games.
The team put immediate pressure on the Bulldogs, sending the ball into Yale’s 18-yard box repeatedly early in the match and forcing Yale senior goalkeeper Elise Wilcox to play aggressively. Dartmouth is second in the Ivy League in shots per contest, and Wilcox leads the league in saves.
Yale, on the other hand, led the Ivy League in corner kicks per game prior to the contest (6.8). The Bulldogs almost took advantage of one such opportunity in the 35th minute, nearly putting the ball into the net. Dartmouth just cleared it over the end line, and off of the resulting corner kick the Bulldogs earned a controversial penalty kick. Dartmouth goalkeeper Tatiana Saunders ’15 received a yellow card during a conversation with the referee.
The strike by Yale senior Melissa Gavin hit the corner of the goal frame and sailed over. Dartmouth players rallied around the play for the remainder of the half, and the stands, busy with fans braving cold temperatures, reflected the team’s energy.
The half ended without any other major chances for either side.
In the 49th minute, Corey Delaney ’16 slotted the ball to Lindsay Knutson ’18 at the top of the 18-yard box. With room to work, Knutson shot but sent the ball wide across the face of the goal. Knutson had a second opportunity in a 66th minute one-on-one with Wilcox, but Wilcox’s slide-tackle cleared the ball out of danger.
Much of the half featured fierce back-and-forth play with shots firing from both sides. Lucielle Kozlov ’16 went down on a play in the 78th minute that drew a yellow card against Yale freshman Sarah McCauley and did not return to play.
Though in all but one game this season the Yale goaltenders have exchanged mid-game, Wilcox tended the net for the entire match. With 9:38 to play she came up with a diving save, pushing a shot from Tasha Wilkins ’15 just wide. She tallied 10 saves in the game.
As the game ended scoreless, the two teams headed into overtime for the sixth time this season and the fourth game in a row. Co-captain Kendall Kraus ’15 said the Big Green was “unfazed,” and Wilkins agreed.
“We knew what needed to be done, and there wasn’t much that needed to be said,” Wilkins said. “We just had to go out and do it.”
The best opportunities in the first overtime period were for Yale, but the Dartmouth defense managed to clear the ball away each time. After a scoreless second period the game ended 0-0.
Though Dartmouth has let in last-minute goals in some of its games this season, the team was able to defend the entire match.
“It was good to see some of what we did in the back then transfer and start some good possessions attacking as well,” head coach Ron Rainey said.
Despite having three ties and no wins, players and coaches alike are still comfortable with their chances at an Ivy League Championship.
“All games except for one tied last weekend, so we’re still right in the mix of things, and I think everybody knows that, and we’re looking to get an Ivy Championship,” Wilkins said.
Rainey said he had mixed feelings about the game.
“You know I think probably any time after a tie, [you’re] a little bit frustrated because there were moments where we could have finished and gotten the goal, but there were moments they could have.” Rainey said. “I think probably in the end both teams had about the same amount of chances.”
The team takes on Boston University on the road Tuesday before its Homecoming match against the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, hoping to break into the win column in the Ancient Eight.
