For Dartmouth junior defender Annie Stanley, her first career goal was made all the sweeter by the fact that it was her first game-winner. Stanley scored the only goal for the Big Green (7-3-1 overall, 3-0 Ivy League) in its victory this past Sunday over Yale (6-5-1, 2-1).
The two teams began the game sharing the league lead, each having won two games. The matchup of the league's top teams proved to be a tight game that featured an abundance of missed opportunities.
Dartmouth came out guns blazing, dominating the ball and out-shooting Yale 11-5 in the first half. This strong effort culminated in the team's first and only goal, which Stanley scored in the 44th minute.
The goal came off a series of outstanding passes. First, senior midfielder Megan Wijas took a corner kick and tapped it to freshman midfielder Myra Sack. Sack quickly sent it back to Wijas, who then fired over to Stanley. Stanley completed the play with a powerful shot that Susan Starr, the Bulldogs' junior goalkeeper, failed to block.
In the second half, however, Dartmouth's attack slowed down. Luckily for the Big Green, the team was able to lean on junior goalkeeper Amanda Webb. Webb recorded seven saves in the second half, during which Yale took 10 shots to Dartmouth's five but failed to score.
As the win was Webb's 12th career shutout, it is doubtful that she even batted an eye at the accomplishment.
Penn remains unbeaten
1-0 is a popular score between Ivy soccer rivals. Penn sophomore midfielder Kevin Unger scored the only goal in Saturday's matchup between the University of Pennsylvania (7-2-1, 3-0) and Columbia (5-5-1, 0-2-1) and did so in dramatic fashion, waiting until the 108th minute, well into the game's second overtime.
The Lions initially played the more aggressive game, roaring up the field and putting pressure on the Quakers' senior goalkeeper, Daniel Cepero. Cepero, however, showed the resilience of a grizzled veteran by defending the post against all challengers. None of Columbia's six shots managed to escape his grasp, and the score was knotted at 0-0 after the first half.
Inspired by their captain's effort, the Quakers looked like a different team in the second half. Revitalized and full of energy, Penn's midfielders attacked Alex Maffeo, the Lions' senior goalkeeper.
Maffeo put up as good a fight as Cepero, denying six Quakers' shots through the first overtime. Exhausted, he finally relinquished a goal to Unger on a shot that barely caught the far corner of the net.
Penn's victory gives it a strong three-win start in conference play. At 1-2, Princeton will have an uphill struggle to catch the undefeated Quakers.
Harvard Cruises
Princeton (4-0, 2-0) is certainly feeling comfortable with its 4-0 start to the season. But the team will face quite a test when Harvard (4-0, 2-0) and senior running back Clifton Dawson visit Princeton Stadium on Oct. 21.
It isn't difficult to see why Harvard was picked as the Ivy League winner in the preseason: The Crimson have the best player on the field in just about any Ancient Eight matchup.
Dawson has been an overwhelming presence for the Cambridge men since he arrived on campus. In last weekend's 33-23 victory over Cornell (1-3, 0-2), Dawson scored three touchdowns to break the Ivy League record for career scores — a mark previously held by Nick Hartigan, who graduated from Brown last year. Hartigan, of course, is the Ivy League's all-time leader in rushing yardage and was largely responsible for the Bears' Ivy title last year.
Dawson's absurd athleticism was on display in multiple facets of the game. He took the opening kickoff for quite a ride, going on a 93-yard romp to put Harvard up 7-0 before the offense had even taken the field. To prove that he was no slacker in his more conventional role, Dawson added 97 yards on the ground.
Dawson will be the season's big challenge for the Tigers' reconstructed linebacking corps, which will rely on a constantly rotating group of playmakers to contain the Crimson's dynamo rusher.
Read More
By the Numbers: Goals and medals for the Tigers’ start to the fall
Harrison BlankThis week in By the Numbers, women’s cross country took first in their first two meets, led by sophomore Meg Madison. Amid these accomplishments, the Tigers won over three-fifths of their games and had winning records both at home and on the road.
This week in By the Numbers, women’s cross country took first in their first two meets, led by sophomore Meg Madison. Amid these accomplishments, the Tigers won over three-fifths of their games and had winning records both at home and on the road.
Late goals lift men’s soccer past University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2–0
Harrison Blank and Matthew YiMen’s soccer overcame a slow start to beat the Minutemen.
Men’s soccer overcame a slow start to beat the Minutemen.
Women’s soccer overtaken by the Black Knights in a 3–1 loss
Lily PampolinaWomen's soccer concluded nonconference play with a loss to Army.
Women's soccer concluded nonconference play with a loss to Army.