Fowler Becomes Program's All-Time Wins Leader With 'W' vs. Yale

HANOVER, N.H. – With a 4-2 result Saturday afternoon against visiting Yale, Dartmouth field hockey's Amy Fowler became the all-time winningest head coach in program history with her 127th career victory in Hanover.

The Big Green used two goals from senior Ali Savage and one each from junior Eliza Becker and sophomore Joanne Nazareth to defeat the Bulldogs and help Fowler pass Mary Corrigan (1975-92) as the program's all-time leader in coaching wins.

With the triumph, Dartmouth (5-7) improved to 3-1 in Ivy League play and moved into a three-way tie for first place with Cornell and Princeton. Yale (2-10) is 0-4 in Ancient Eight contests in 2014 and sits at the bottom of the league standings.

“This third Ivy win puts us in the mix with the other top teams in the League,” Foweler said after the game. “There is a lot of parity this year, and we are taking it one game at a time, working to secure a winning record and to capitalize on our remaining Ivy and non-conference games.

“I'm very happy that our kids have been able to start strong in games,” Fowler continued. “They battled a tough Yale team today, who was just as hungry for a league win. Regardless of record, we always have a battle with Yale. I'm thrilled our kids held on for a great win on their Homecoming!”

Savage struck twice early in the game, scoring in the sixth and ninth minutes, respectively. For the senior co-captain, the goals were her ninth and 10th of the season, reaching the double-digit mark for goals in a season for the fourth time as a member of the Green and White and giving her 47 in her career.

Becker knocked home a rebound in the 45th minute to push the lead to three, but Yale matched with a Nicole Wells marker just a minute and 38 seconds later. The Wells' tally was a sign of improved play by the Bulldogs as the field began to tilt in the direction of Dartmouth senior goalkeeper Ellen Meyer in the second half.

Though Kelsey Nolan would tack on another Yale goal late, it came nearly 15 minutes after Joanne Nazareth's unassisted rebound goal had made it a 4-1 edge for the Big Green.

Meyer weathered the storm and finished the game with eight saves in earning the win, her fifth of the season. At the other end of the field, Yale keeper Heather Schlesier stopped 10 while taking the loss.

It was Savage's fifth two-goal game of the season as she remains tied with Kelly Hood '12 for the program record for career hat tricks with six.

In all, Dartmouth outshot Yale, 25-22, while also holding a slight 11-9 edge in penalty corners.

“I'm also very thankful to Dartmouth Athletics, Dick Jaeger and Josie Harper, who collectively gave me the chance to take over this program from one of my mentors, Julie Dayton in the summer of 2000,” Fowler remarked regarding her record-setting win. “I owe this very special career marker to the young women who have competed for Dartmouth Field Hockey and have given so much of themselves to represent this program over the past 15 seasons. I would also like to thank all of my assistant coaches and other staff members who have helped keep us on track!”

The Big Green will have little time to rest as they are back in action Sunday afternoon at UMass Lowell with game time from Cushing Field set for 1 p.m.

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