Dartmouth Hosts Harvard in Pivotal League Match

GAME 14

Dartmouth Big Green (5-3-5, 3-0-1 Ivy League) vs.
Harvard Crimson (8-3-2, 3-0-1 Ivy League)
Date: – Saturday, October 29, 4:30 p.m.
Location: Hanover, N.H. – Burnham Field
Series: Crimson lead 43-36-10

SATUDAY'S GAME
The Dartmouth men's soccer team hosts Harvard this Saturday at Burnham Field in a pivotal showdown as the race for the Ivy League title tightens.

SCOUTING THE CRIMSON
Harvard heads into Saturday's match having won seven of its last eight matches and has not lost since Sept. 18, when the Crimson fell 6-2 to California. The Crimson are one of two unbeaten teams in conference play, the other being the Big Green. As a team, Harvard has scored 26 goals, seven of which have come from senior, Jake Freeman. The midfielder from Melville, N.Y. also leads the Crimson with 19 points. In goal, Kyle Parks leads the Ivy League with 60 saves and is sixth in the league with a 1.30 goals-against-average.

LAST TIME AGAINST HARVARD
On Oct. 31, 2015, No. 24 Dartmouth scared up a 1-0 victory over the Crimson in overtime to give the Big Green the upper hand in the race for the Ivy League crown. In the 98th minute, off a Justin Donawa corner kick, Amadu Kunateh was able to head in the ball for the only score of the night. Harvard challenged Dartmouth netminder, Stefan Cleveland several times throughout the match, but could not find the back of the net, as Cleveland recorded seven saves, including two in overtime.

LAST TIME OUT
Behind Donawa's goal in the 71st minute, the Dartmouth men's soccer team defeated Columbia, 1-0, in New York last Saturday night. The Big Green's persistent effort on offense finally paid off in the second half after a scoreless first. Donawa scored his third goal of the season when he gathered a loose ball on the right and finished by the near post for the important first strike. For the final 20 minutes, Dartmouth displayed lockdown defense, allowing just two shots that were either blocked or off target.

THE RACE FOR FIRST
The Big Green are currently in a tie with Harvard for first place in the Ivy League. Both teams currently sit at 3-0-1 prior to this weekend's matches. A win on Saturday would give either squad the upper hand in the battle for first with just two matches remaining in league play.

RISING IN THE RANKINGS
Dartmouth is ranked No. 18 in the nation in the NCAA Men's Soccer RPI rankings. The Big Green are the highest Ancient Eight school on the list that is based on a team's wins, losses and its strength of schedule.

WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW
Dartmouth has played to five double-overtime draws this season. The last time the Big Green recorded four ties was in 2013 in Bobby Clark Head Coach of Dartmouth Men's Soccer Chad Riley's first season at the helm. The most draws in a season for Dartmouth is seven in 2004.

BETWEEN THE PIPES
James Hickok has performed well for the Big Green in 2016. He is second in the Ivy League in save percentage (.815) and third in goals against (10).

TAKING CHANCES
Matt Greer and Donawa have been creating scoring chances for the Big Green this season. Donawa is ranked fourth in the Ancient Eight with 31 shots, while Greer is not far behind with 30.

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

LOOKING AHEAD
Dartmouth will travel to Northeastern on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. for the Big Green's final non-conference game of the regular season.

Schedules