Big Green Conclude Road Trip with Win Over Gardner-Webb

Sunday, September 4

Winston Salem, N.C.

11:30 AM

Dartmouth College

Gardner-Webb

Big Green Conclude Road Trip with Win Over Gardner-Webb

9/4/2016 1:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer

By: Dartmouth

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. – Freshman Charlotte Esty scored her second goal of the season, as the Dartmouth women's soccer team defeated Gardner Webb, 2-0, in the final game of the Deacon Challenge Tournament on Sunday afternoon.

With the victory, the Big Green are now 3-1-0 and the Runnin' Bulldogs drop to 1-3-3.

Dartmouth got off to a quick start in the first half of the match, with its first scoring chance coming from freshman Zoe Enright on a header at the two-minute mark that was saved. The Big Green continued to get scoring opportunities with six shots in the game's opening seven minutes, while outshooting Gardner-Webb, 21-10 through 90 minutes of play.

On the other side of the ball, Dartmouth's defense has also been strong, surrendering just one goal in its last two road games.

“I thought the team was excellent today,” Big Green head coach Ron Rainey said. “I'm really proud of how we played because we stuck to a game plan of keeping possession in front of their defenders to place some balls in behind the defense. I think our team did an awesome job of doing that because it created a lot of chances in the first half and put them on their heels.”

Throughout the first half, the field remained tilted in Dartmouth's favor, as Big Green senior goalkeeper, Casey Cousineau, needed to make just one save before the halftime whistle. She finished the contest with six total saves.

After the break, Dartmouth picked up where it left off dictating the pace of play. In the 61st minute Esty broke the scoreless stalemate with her second goal of the season. Senior Meredith Gurnee crossed the ball over from the left side of the pitch, as Esty buried a shot from short range to put her team ahead 1-0. Rainey said the rookies on his squad have stepped up so far in the young season.

“They're competing, working hard and having fun,” Rainey said. “I think the upper classmen are giving them a lot of confidence to play hard and to be successful on the field. Those are things we're excited about and now the challenge is to come back with some good recovery and repetitions in practice this week as we head into next weekend's games.”

The Big Green's freshmen continued to play well after Enright scored her first career goal in the 81st minute. Enright was able to beat the Runnin' Bulldogs' keeper to the far post after receiving a cross pass from junior Gia Parker for the insurance goal.

Dartmouth returns home next weekend for a three-game homestand. The Big Green will host Central Michigan on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. before welcoming Fairleigh Dickson to Burnham Field on Sunday, September 11 at 1 p.m. Both games can be seen live on the Ivy League Digital Network with Dave Collins on the call.