Dartmouth Takes on Cornell with Ivy League Title on the Line

11/6/2015 10:30:00 AM | Men's Soccer

By: Dartmouth

GAME 16
Dartmouth Big Green (10-4-1, 5-0-0 Ivy) vs.
Cornell Big Red (4-10-1, 2-3-0 Ivy)
Date: Nov. 7, 2015
Location: Hanover, N.H. – Burnham Field
Last Time: Oct. 8, 2014 – W, 3-0 (Dartmouth)

SATURDAY'S GAME
The 24th-ranked Dartmouth men's soccer team hosts Cornell on Saturday, for the final regular season game at Burnham Field.

LAST TIME OUT
The Big Green are coming off a 2-0 non-conference victory over Northeastern on Tuesday night in Hanover. For the second game in a row, freshman Amadu Kunateh scored the game-winning goal, which was also his fourth goal of the season. After a scoreless first half, Alberto Gorini hit Kunateh with a pass from the top of the box. Kunateh finished by kicking the ball with his back to the Huskies' netminder to give Dartmouth a 1-0 lead. Just 10 minutes later in the 84th minute, the Green struck again, this time from Eduvie Ikoba, who fired a shot that sailed right over Northeastern's net minder. James Hickok played a great game between the pipes, finishing the night with five saves.

SCOUTING THE BIG RED
Cornell is coming off a 2-1 victory at Princeton for its second consecutive road win. In that game, sophomore Tommy Griffin scored in the 84th minute to break a 1-1 tie to propel the Big Red to victory. Cornell's offense has seen its struggles this season, as the team has combined for only nine goals. Madison Heck leads the team with two goals and five points over the span of 15 games.

LAST TIME AGAINST CORNELL
On Oct. 8, 2014 Dartmouth took down the Big Red, 3-0 in Ithaca, N.Y. Wyatt Omsberg scored off a corner kick in the first half 15 minutes into the game, to give the Big Green a 1-0 lead. Dartmouth added to its lead in the second half with goals from Colin Heffron and Alex Adelabu. In goal, Stefan Cleveland only had to make three stops in the 90 minutes he saw between the pipes.

THE RACE FOR THE TITLE
With a victory on Saturday, the Big Green can clinch their second consecutive Ivy League title as well as the automatic bid to the NCCA College Cup Tournament. Dartmouth can also clinch if Brown ties or losses and Columbia and Harvard play to a draw.

HONORING BIG GREEN'S SENIORS
At the conclusion of Saturday's game, Dartmouth will honor its six seniors: Cleveland, Emory Orr, Samuel Rosen, Alberto Gorini, Sten Stray-Gunderson and Eric Jayne.

Between the pipes, Cleveland has been a solid performer for the Big Green, recording 14 shutouts in 35 games over four seasons. This year Cleveland has amassed seven shutouts and leads the Ancient Eight in save percentage (.878) and goals against average (0.58).

Orr has been a versatile player for Dartmouth playing as forward, midfielder and at times, defender.

After missing his freshman and junior seasons due to injury, Rosen made a big impact his senior year with the Big Green. He has two goals in 13 games, including the game winner in a 1-0 victory over Yale.

Gorini has battled back from injuries multiple times during his career in Hanover. He has one goal and four assists over the span of 40 games for Dartmouth.

On Saturday, Gunderson will play in his 53rd game for the Green and White. As a defender, he's scored one goal and recorded one assist for Dartmouth.

Jayne, a local product from Hanover High School has scored six times in 43 games. He was also a member of two Ivy League championship teams.

FOLLOW ALONG
Can't make it to the game? The game on Saturday will be carried live in HD on the Ivy League Digital Network. DartmouthSports.com will also provide live stats for those looking to follow along during the contest.

LOOKING AHEAD
The Big Green will wrap up the regular season on the road against Brown on Saturday, Nov. 14.