First and last place square off tomorrow night at Berman field, as the men”s soccer team (1-12-1, 0-4-1 Ivy) looks to upset Ivy League-leading Dartmouth. The Green, with a record of 5-3-6, 3-0-2 Ivy, currently holds a narrow lead in the Ivy standings with four teams tied close behind in second.
‘We know that we”re in for a good game,’ said head coach Bryan Scales. ‘It”s going to be a real challenge for us and it”s an exciting opportunity for us to beat the number one team in our league.’
The Green still is riding high after a 1-0 Halloween victory over Harvard. Dartmouth boasts one of the most solid defenses in the league, giving up a stingy 0.69 goals per game. The Green is also among the league”s lowest scoring teams – averaging only 0.92 goals per game. The only team with a lower average is Cornell – 0.46 goals per game.
‘As with any championship level team, they don”t give up goals,’ Scales said. ‘They”re in every game and the longer they keep other teams off the board it becomes just a matter of time before somebody pops up for them to get a goal.’
Forwards Mark Limpert and Scott Darci have combined to provide the bulk of Dartmouth”s offense this year. Limpert was named the Ivy League Player of the Week after scoring the winning goal last weekend against Harvard.
‘We know that Darci and Limpert are very good up top,’ Scales said. ‘They”re very active, very dangerous.’
The Green”s Michael Ordonez will also provide a challenge for the Red. Only a freshman, Ordonez has been dangerous out of the midfield for Dartmouth this year.
‘He”s tricky on the ball,’ Scales said. ‘He”s got a good left peg and he can really get around guys and get serves in.’
Cornell still recalls bitter memories of the last time Dartmouth visited Berman field two years ago. The Green dominated the Red, handing it a 7-1 loss. Scales expects Dartmouth will provided another tough challenge for the Red but is hoping for a slightly different outcome.
‘We know that Dartmouth is going to be a hardworking 4-4-2 that will press us all over the field and make it really tough for us to connect passes together,’ he said. ‘We are going out to make sure that we have the ability to play at-speed and compete for 90 minutes.’
Scales will put out an experienced lineup tomorrow night, anchored by senior tri-captains David Mahoney (goal), Scott Palguta (defense) and Peter Lynch (defense). The lineup is one that Scales feels has been mostly consistent throughout the year and will match up well against the Green.
Sitting in last place in the Ivy League with only two games remaining in its season, the Red hopes to create some havoc atop the Ivy League with a victory over Dartmouth.
‘At this stage in the game, we”re trying to number one, throw the league back into chaos a little by beating the number one team; and number two, we”re trying to get ourselves off the basement floor of the Ivy League,’ Scales said. ‘That”s just a matter of personal pride and we”re hoping that we take a big step forward this weekend.’
Archived article by Paul Testa
Sun Staff Writer