Dartmouth Women's Soccer Blanks Brown, 1-0 in Ivy Opener

Boxscore

Hanover, N.H. – Senior captain Whitney Douthett (Newtown, Pa.) scored her first collegiate goal in dramatic fashion with just over five minutes remaining in Dartmouth's 1-0 win over Brown today. With its third consecutive win, the Big Green improves to 5-3 (1-0 Ivy) while the Bears drop to 4-3-2 (0-1 Ivy).

"Brown is always a tough game and we struggled. I give credit to them because it was anyone's game, but I am pleased to get a win," said Head Coach Angie Hind.

After inclement weather delayed the start of the contest, both teams started off slowly, battling in the midfield with each change of possession. Despite several good chances, both teams struggled to place the ball well on crosses. Brown held a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks but was unable to convert, thanks to a solid performance by Dartmouth's defensive corps.

"We didn't have it together in the first half, it was very scrappy. The slow, stop and start pace frustrated us because we are a team that constantly practices to keep moving the ball," noted Hind.

With the sun beginning to shine at the start of the second half, so did the Big Green offense. Dartmouth controlled the tempo in the period, keeping possession and outshooting Brown 9-4.

"We came out slow in the first half, but after out halftime talk, we knew we had to pull it together. I give kudos to my team for doing that. We had a better flow in the second half, more ball control and out midfielders and defensive mids did well," said Douthett.

The Bears had a big opportunity at 69:50 with a scramble in front of the Big Green goal, but Dartmouth senior defender Melissa Matulich (Santa Rosa, Calif.) slid across the box to block to ball, saving a goal.

The Big Green held onto the momentum for the remainder of the contest. With just over five minutes remaining in regulation, Dartmouth gained a free kick from 30 yards out. Senior captain Megan Wijas (Southborough, Mass.) drilled the ball, which was knocked about by several players in a scramble in front of the goal. Douthett headed the ball into the goal at 84:23 after a rebounded shot by rookie Myra Sack (Wynnewood, Pa.).

Douthett was pleased with both her goal and her squad's resiliency, noting "this is a huge win - every Ivy League game is just a battle for pride and Brown is a good team."

Dartmouth held out for the rest of the game to take the 1-0 victory, giving itself an early edge in the Ivy League race. Junior goakeeper Amanda Webb (Danvers, Mass.) snagged six saves in the shutout, the tenth of her career, ranking her sixth all-time.

The Big Green will head to Big East opponent Syracuse for a 3:00 p.m. start on Tuesday before traveling to Ivy League foe Princeton for a 1:00 p.m. kick-off on Saturday. Dartmouth will look to avenge last season's 2-0 loss to the Tigers.

Schedules