Field Hockey Upsets Massachusetts, 1-0

Wednesday, October 24

Amherst, Mass.

6:00 p.m.

Dartmouth College

Massachusetts

Lizzie Bildner Named Ivy League Player of the Week

10/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

By: Dartmouth

Box Score

AMHERST, Mass. ? Senior Lizzie Bildner's (Manchester, Mass.) late first half tally proved to be the difference for Dartmouth as the Big Green shutout Massachusetts, 1-0.

The Big Green (5-9, 1-4 Ivy) started the game very aggressive and dominated most of the action, earning three penalty corners in the first nine minutes of the game. Dartmouth, however, could not capitalize on three shots on goal.

Massachusetts (10-8) got their first opportunity with 20 minutes remaining in the half as Makaela Potts stole a pass deep in Dartmouth territory, but fired a shot wide of the net.

With 12:30 left, the Minutewomen got another great chance when Christine Rogers redirected a long pass on net, but senior netminder Ashley Heist (Byrn Mawr, Pa.) made the save.

The aggressive play from Dartmouth finally paid off with 2:43 left in the half. Senior Lizzie Bildner (Manchester, Mass.) received a pass from sophomore Leigh Rorick (Toledo, Ohio) and fired a backhanded shot past Massachusetts goaltender Becky Letourneau to give the Big Green the 1-0 advantage into halftime.

In the second half, the Minutewomen turned the momentum on the Big Green and controlled most of the play. The Dartmouth defense, however, was up for the challenge. Massachusetts had multiple chances inside the circle, but each time the Big Green stood tall and relieved the pressure.

The break of the game for Dartmouth came with 3:10 remaining as Erin Parker was open in the center of the circle and took a shot that Heist redirected off of the post to preserve the shutout. Heist made seven saves in net to earn her first career shutout for the Big Green.

The Big Green held on for the final minutes and upset the Atlantic-10 leading Minutewomen, 1-0.

“I'm glad we hung on,” said head coach Amy Fowler. “We did a great job defensively and held them scoreless in the second half, when they put the most pressure on us.”

The Big Green will be back on the road this coming weekend as Dartmouth travels to Harvard for a 12 noon face-off on Saturday and Holy Cross on Sunday at 2 p.m.