Big Green Welcome No. 11 Albany and Holy Cross This Weekend

GAME 10
Dartmouth Big Green (3-6) vs.
No. 11 Albany Great Danes (10-2*)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014 – 2 p.m.
Location: Hanover, N.H. – Chase AstroTurf Field
All-Time Series: Dartmouth, 1-0
Last Time: Sept. 8, 2000 – W, 8-1

GAME 11
Dartmouth Big Green (3-6*) vs.
Holy Cross Crusaders (3-10*)
Date: Monday, Oct. 13, 2014 – 3 p.m.
Location: Hanover, N.H. – Chase AstroTurf Field
All-Time Series: Dartmouth, 15-8
Last Time: Sept. 29, 2013 – W, 6-1
* - Will Change // Albany plays Friday at UNH & Holy Cross plays Saturday vs. Bucknell

UPCOMING GAMES
The Dartmouth field hockey team will begin its three-game homestand with a pair of contests over the long weekend. The Big Green host No. 11 Albany on Saturday at 2 p.m., before taking on Holy Cross at 3 p.m. on Columbus Day.

LAST TIME OUT
The Big Green were dealt a 5-2 loss Tuesday afternoon at Maine. Senior Janine Leger scored both of the team's goals, but the Black Bears were able to immediately answer the Dartmouth scoring with tallies of their own to pick up the victory — the fifth straight in the series for Maine.

SCOUTING ALBANY
The Great Danes come to Hanover ranked No. 11 in the most recent National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Poll. Currently the team has a 10-2 record, a figure that is guaranteed to change before Saturday as they play a conference game at UNH Friday afternoon. As it stands now, Albany's Paula Heuser is one of the nation's most prolific scorers with 16 goals, seven assists and 39 points, giving her the third-best points-per game figure (1.33) in the country. Laura Page has yet to score a goal, but her 15 assists are not only a team lead, they are among the most by any player in Division I this season. For all its success in the offensive end of the field, Albany's defense has been outstanding thus far, ranking first in goals against average (0.58) and shutouts per game (0.67), while second in save percentage (.851). Anchoring the defense, Maxi Primus has been one of the best goalkeepers in the NCAA with a 0.77 goals against average and an .833 save percentage.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE GREAT DANES
Remarkably, given their proximity, these two teams have only played one previous game. Dartmouth opened the 2000 season at home on Sept. 8 with an 8-1 victory against Albany in the lone all-time meeting.

SCOUTING HOLY CROSS
Like Albany, Holy Cross' 3-10 overall record will not remain intact prior to its Monday afternoon tilt in Hanover as the Crusaders host Bucknell on Saturday afternoon. So far this season, scoring has been an issue for Holy Cross, finding the back of the cage just 11 times, while allowing 28. Maureen Connolly is the team leader in both goals (4) and points (8) with Michelle McNeil's four helpers leading the way in assists. Goalkeeping duties have been split between Kat Matchett (1-6/.740/1.83) and Maya Langman (2-4/.667/2.50). All three of the Crusaders' wins this season have come by one goal, while they have lost by more than two just twice.

MORE HONORS
Prior to the game with Maine, the Ivy League office announced that Dartmouth freshman Anna Rowthorn-Apel had been named the conference Rookie of the Week for her two-goal effort in the win vs. Penn. It marked the first time since 2011 that a Big Green player had earned the weekly accolade.

TWO AGAIN…KIND OF
Senior Ali Savage had a string of three straight two-goal games snapped Tuesday in Orono. However, despite not finding the back of the cage herself, Savage did manage to pick up a pair of points as she assisted on both of Leger's goals in the game. Savage now leads the team in all three major offensive categories: goals (7), assists (5) and points (19).

FOLLOW ALONG
Both games this weekend will be broadcast live in HD on the Ivy League Digital Network. Fans who have purchased a subscription to the league's online video portal can find the games HERE. Live stats of both contests will also be available on DartmouthSports.com

WHAT'S AHEAD?
Following these two games, the Big Green will remain at home for another Ivy League contests against Yale at noon on Saturday, Oct. 18.