University of Massachusets Athletics
Minutewomen Host Dartmouth In Home Finale
October 23, 2007 | Field Hockey
Oct. 23, 2007
AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass Minutewomen (10-7, 5-1 A-10) will play at Garber Field for the final time in 2007 on Wednesday night when they play host to Dartmouth (4-9, 1-4 Ivy) in a 6 p.m. non-conference game. UMass sits in a tie atop the Atlantic 10 standings with Temple at 5-1. They close out the conference schedule on Saturday when travel to Rhode Island to take on the Rams at noon.
Series History:
The Minutewomen and Big Green have met 28 times in a series that dates back to 1976. UMass holds a 19-8-1 edge, but Dartmouth has won the last two match-ups, both in overtime. Last season's meeting was a wild offensive affair that saw nine goals scored and 34 shots taken. Lizzie Bildner's third goal of the game came less than a minute into overtime to win it for Dartmouth. Lauren Gillespie (Casco, Maine) scored two goals to lead UMass and Kara Murphy (Dedham, Mass.) added a goal and two assists. Cher King (Christ Church, Barbados) accounted for the fourth Minutewomen goal. The last UMass win in the series was 2004's 2-1 victory in Hanover, New Hampshire.
UMass Report:
The Minutewomen come into Wednesday's game coming off their biggest win of the season, 1-0 over Richmond on Sunday at Garber Field. It was UMass' first win over Richmond since 2001 and only the second conference loss for the Spiders over their last 48 contests. Nicole Phelan (North Andover, Mass.) scored the game's only goal on a penalty stroke at the 27 minute mark. It was the senior defender's second goal of the season.
On Friday, UMass got another 1-0 win, this time on the road at Saint Louis. Gillespie scored her fourth goal of the season just 2:54 into the game and the Minutewomen defense did the rest. It was also the junior forward's team-leading third game-winning goal of the season.
Becky Letourneau (Greenfield, Mass.) earned the victory in both games last weekend. She made a dramatic diving save on a shot following a penalty corner in the waning seconds to uphold Sunday's shutout. Letourneau now has a conference-leading six shutouts on the season, including all five A-10 victories. She was recognized for her efforts over the weekend by being named UMass/Dinn Brothers Co-Athlete of the Week on Monday, along with Mark DeSantis of the men's soccer team.
The accolades continue for the Minutewomen as Erin O'Brien (Annandale, Va.) was named a Division I Senior All-Star by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Monday. The senior back is one of only 38 players nationally chosen to participate in the November 17 All-Star Game to be played at the University of Maryland. The UMass captain has led a defense that is number one in the A-10 in goals against average and shots allowed. The Minutewomen have outscored their opponents this season, 25-17. They have jumped on the opposition early, scoring 14 first half goals while allowing only five. UMass has outshot the competition, 209-122, and drawn more penalty corners, 100-56.
Dartmouth Report:
The Big Green enter Wednesday's match having lost two straight. On Saturday, Dartmouth hosted Columbia and lost 2-0 for the second time in a week. On Sunday Oct. 14, #12 Boston College visited Hanover and walked away with a 2-0 victory. Their last win was a 3-1 game versus Davidson on Oct. 13.
The Big Green is coached by Amy Fowler. The 1993 Iowa graduate, where she was a three-time All-American back, is in her seventh season. She entered 2007 with a 63-61 career record. In 2006, she led Dartmouth to a 3-14 record, going 1-6 in the Ivy League.
The hero of last season's game with UMass, Bildner, is back this season and leads the Big Green with six goals. She is tied for the team lead in points (12) with junior midfielder Ashley Hines (five goals, two assists). Senior back Whitney Waugh leads the club in assists with six and has eight points on the year.
Junior goalkeeper Jordan Sedlacek has handled the bulk of the duties in net for Dartmouth. She is 3-7 on the year with a 2.60 goals against average and a .736 save percentage.
Dartmouth is 1-4 on the road this season. Opponents have outscored them, 41-19, and outshot them, 220-172. They have drawn 71 penalty corners, while allowing 90.
Broadcast Info:
Live video of Wednesday's game will be webcast on UMass All-Access with Adam Frenier calling the action. Free live stats will be available on Gametracker at UMassAthletics.com.