Dartmouth Women's Soccer Has Sights Set High in 2007

Having been just shy of an Ivy title in the past two seasons and overlooked for the NCAA Tournament in 2006, the Dartmouth women's soccer team comes into the 2007 campaign with unfinished business. After graduating 10 seniors from the 2006 squad, the Big Green may have a new look, but will have the same team spirit when it takes to the field this fall. Dartmouth has boasted a 24-9-2 record in head coach Angie Hind's first two seasons at the helm and the expectation of excellence remains.

“Losing 10 players with the quality, experience and character of that class is a big loss; however, I have complete confidence in the abilities of our younger players to step up and play an even more prominent role this season,” said Hind. “Our two captains, Monica Martin de Bustamante and Annie Stanley, have been a big part of our team's success these past two years and have the experience and desire to push those around them to achieve great things.”

Hind expects to rely on returning impact players such as seniors Stanley, de Bustamente and Amanda Webb, junior Becky Poskin in the midfield and sophomores Maggie Goldstein, Ali Hubbard, Kelsey Quick and Myra Sack to anchor a young squad.

The Big Green is fresh off a spring-break trip to Scotland and England, where the squad spent time bonding as a team while playing against some top-level competition. Upon returning to Hanover, “a balanced blend of practice, games and progressive competition proved to be successful as our players excelled both individually and collectively,” said Hind.

Fresh Faces:
Dartmouth welcomes seven freshmen to the fold this year, hailing from six different states. “I am excited again to feel the impact of a new class that allows us to further increase our athleticism and depth, giving us the freedom to vary our playing style and formation when required,” said Hind. “Along with their individual qualities as soccer players, they are all terrific young women who will bring enthusiasm, drive and personality to our already dynamic squad.”

Defense:
The back line was the pride of the Big Green in 2006, as the group allowed just 6.6 opponent shots per game and a 0.58 goals against average. “We have many options to again boast a strong defense and the experience and quality that Stanley brings will lead a new look back line. Junior Emily Forline has shown composure and class throughout her first two seasons and will play a key role alongside the captain this year. Jenny Stone also looks ready to compete for a spot in the back line along with Anna Barrett, Whitney Odden, Thea Sutton, Carolyn Wendell and freshman Sarah Bromley,” said Hind. Those returning players all had solid spring seasons in which they improved their bids for minutes.

Midfield:
“Although our defensive line will look different, in an attacking sense we have almost all of our impact players returning. This is an area that I feel we can really hurt teams,” explained Hind. “In wide areas we have the great combination of speed and technical ability highlighted in players like Poskin, Quick, and freshman Alexis Euwema. Driving this attacking unit will be sophomores Myra Sack and Allison Hubbard, both of whom made a stunning impact last year as our engine room. With the addition of freshmen Katie Davis, Sarah Feldman and Melisa Krnjaic, we will have the balance and creativity in midfield to support our front line.” said Hind.

Forwards:
With a solid midfield driving the offense, Dartmouth expects to have no shortage of goal-scoring opportunities and players who can finish the job. “Our front line will be led by the influential Martin de Bustamente. With the added fire power from Goldstein, heart and work rate from Caitlin MacDonald and the freshness of newcomers Peyton Tata and Meagan Tibbo, we will have the capacity to vary things a lot,” said Hind.

Goalkeepers:
There is no shortage of talent between the pipes as Dartmouth returns a pair of seasoned keepers as its last line of defense. Webb comes in after a stellar junior season in which she posted nine shutouts and a 0.59 goals against average. Junior Laurel Peak returns, with nine appearances and six starts to her credit and a career goals against average of just 0.87. “Webb gives consistency and experience to the back line while Peak has the athleticism and dominant personality to make game-winning saves. Both are extremely important to our team's success,” said Hind.

The Schedule:
Once again, Dartmouth will take on some of the nation's finest competition and a well-rounded schedule is highlighted by the return of the Nike/Hypertherm Classic to Hanover. “We want to be the best we can be and in order to achieve that I believe you have to play the best. I think our schedule this year reflects our ambition,” said Hind. During the first three weeks of the season, Dartmouth will face the likes of Texas A&M, Minnesota, Cal Poly, Maryland and Duke, all of which Hind expects will prepare her squad for regional competition and the Ivy League. “Without a doubt, winning the Ivy League is a goal of ours in 2007 after losing out by a single point in the past two seasons.”

Schedules