On Oct. 4, the Dartmouth women’s soccer team collected its second Ivy League victory, beating the Columbia Lions 1-0 on Dartmouth’s Burnham Field. The win brought the Big Green to a 2-0-1 record in Ivy League play after the match and placed them at the top of the Ivy League standings. However, after tying Brown University 0-0 on Oct. 11, the Big Green dropped to no. 2 as Harvard University defeated Yale University 2-0.
Heading into the matchup, Columbia led the Ivy League standings with wins over Cornell University and Brown, but Dartmouth’s win helped them rise to the top of the table. This was the first time in 11 years that Dartmouth has defeated Columbia.
The first half included several offensive chances for each team, but neither squad was able to convert these chances into a goal.
The only goal of the match came in the 69th minute of play. Frankie Valverde ’27 crossed the ball to Nadia Young ’29, for the first goal of her Dartmouth career. It was also Valverde’s first assist of the season.
Head coach Taylor Schram emphasized Young and Valverde’s collaboration.
“Frankie, with a big effort, takes players one on one and wide channels,” Schram said. “It’s her specialty, and then to execute on the cross for Nadia to bring it down and just show a ton of composure and maturity to finish, it was an awesome performance.”
The Big Green had only two shots on goal, while the Lions had three. However, Dartmouth outshot Columbia 13-7 in the match.
On defense, goalkeeper Ola Goebel ’27 had three saves and kept the Lions to no goals.
“Obviously, a shutout for Ola is awesome,” Schram said. “Credit to her for bringing that calmness, that composure in.”
Schram was also complimentary of the back line and defensive midfielders, led by co-captain Kellie Sutton ’26.
“Credit to the back line and our holding mid Sutton, they have been absolutely lights out all year,” Schram said. She said the Big Green has “the number one defense in the conference” this season.
The Big Green were excited about the win and their place atop the Ivy League.
“To be sitting in a good spot through the first three games feels really good,” Schram said. “I thought we dominated the game, and I think we deserved the win.”
After the game, the players noted the importance of remaining focused for their remaining Ivy League games.
“We say every next game is the most important game,” Valverde said. “Celebrating this game, rewarding ourselves for our hard work, but focusing back on our next game, because it’s not over yet.”
Schram is optimistic about the Big Green’s upcoming matches. She says that as long as they keep “knowing that we’re connected, we believe in it. We’re going to be prepared to and keep this thing rolling, hopefully.”
