Dartmouth Fights Back After Tough Start, But Falls at No. 22 Maine

Friday, September 2

Orono, Maine

3:00 PM

Dartmouth College

(0-1, 0-0)

Maine

(1-2, 0-0)

Dartmouth

Maine

Photo by: Justin Lafleur

Dartmouth Fights Back After Tough Start, But Falls at No. 22 Maine

9/2/2022 6:41:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Dartmouth scores its most goals against Maine since 2017 and most goals against a ranked opponent since 2019

By: Justin Lafleur

ORONO, Maine — The Dartmouth field hockey team fell behind 2-0 less than five minutes into Friday's season opener, but fought back to within 3-2 at halftime before No. 22 Maine added two late insurance goals to defeat the Big Green, 5-2. The Big Green goals came from Bronwyn Bird and Myah Pease. In her collegiate debut, freshman goalkeeper Ava Carlson entered early in the first quarter and finished with four saves, including several sensational stops. Helen Young added a defensive save as well.

"Opening the season is always a bit nerve-wracking and I think we saw that with the way we started the game," said head coach Mark Egner. "But I think what was really telling for our team today was how they fought back. They rose to the challenge. One of the things our team has talked about this year is rising and they really, really showed that in their response. And unfortunately, we had to do it twice. That just shows us we need to get a little more consistency with what we're doing and tighten up some things defensively and in transition, but I'm really proud of the way they fought back."

The Big Green finished with their most goals scored against Maine since the 2017 season — a 5-3 loss at home on Sept. 17, 2017. The two goals were Dartmouth's most against a nationally-ranked opponent since scoring twice against No. 19 Boston College on Sept. 13, 2019. On Friday, the Big Green scored their most goals at Maine since the 2016 season, while the goal differential (-3) was their best at Maine since 2014.

Maine opened the scoring with goals at the 2:47 and 4:34 marks, both off penalty corners, but Dartmouth had a quick answer. Lila Browne won the ball in the corner and made a feed to Bird, who rocketed a shot past Black Bears' goalkeeper Mia Borley at the 7:23 mark. Zoe Schaffer played a significant role in the goal as well, via a strong screen in front.

Check out our first goal of the afternoon, a great shot off the stick of Bronwyd Bird! pic.twitter.com/2vkXHARA9m
— DartmouthFieldHockey (@DartmouthFH) September 2, 2022

The Black Bears went on to add to their lead less than two minutes later, but in the final stages of the first half, Boau-Lilly Shepherd created a penalty stroke opportunity, which Myah Pease buried to pull Dartmouth within 3-2 at the half.

Myah Pease converts a penalty stroke to pull Dartmouth within 3-2 of nationally-ranked Maine at the half! pic.twitter.com/pDM5XXtIbk
— DartmouthFieldHockey (@DartmouthFH) September 2, 2022

The Big Green remained within one late into the third quarter, but Maine scored goals with less than two minutes left in the third quarter and less than two minutes into the fourth, on the way to the 5-2 final.

Final shots were 15-7 in favor of Maine while the Black Bears held a 4-2 edge in penalty corners. Hatley Post made one save while Carlson finished with four. Bird, Emilia Callahan and Florentina Terra each had two shots apiece to lead Dartmouth.

The Big Green return to the field in less than 24 hours as they face Quinnipiac at 2 p.m. at the University of Maine in a neutral-site showdown. No live stream will be available, but fans can follow along via live stats.

We caught up with head coach Mark Egner after today's season opener at No. 22 Maine pic.twitter.com/vB9wcPHVdG
— DartmouthFieldHockey (@DartmouthFH) September 2, 2022