Dartmouth Big Green
Overall Rank: #44
Conference Rank: #2 Ivy League
Dartmouth Team Page
After getting the 2012 season off to a slow start, Dartmouth’s men’s soccer team righted the ship in the second half of the season. The Big Green won six of its final eight games to put itself in a strong position for the fall campaign, but the team’s strength will be tested somewhat thanks to the loss of a talented senior core from a year ago. However, three of the five All-Ivy League selections are back for the fall campaign, and that should help Dartmouth gain some traction in what looks to be a tight Ivy League race. There is a strong senior group back to help facilitate a push toward first place in the league.
2012 Record: 9-7-0, 5-2-0
2012 Postseason: None
Coach: Chad Riley
Strengths:
The three returning conference selections, including senior Kevin Dzierzawski and junior Alex Adelabu, were the cornerstones of a solid Dartmouth offense in 2012. As a midfielder, Dzierzawski did not see too many scoring chances but still came through with four points on four assists and five shots on goal. It was Adelabu who anchored the front section of the field on the way to nine goals and three assists for 21 points. Adelabu was second in the Ivy League in goals per game, points per game, points and goals, and he earned Ivy League Player of the Week honors twice. Like Dzierzawski, Colin Skelly didn’t see too many chances but he made the most of what was out there. He only had one goal and one assist, but his on-field presence enabled the Big Green to turn their season around, especially during the second half.
Weaknesses:
Goalkeeping might be the biggest problem right off the bat for Dartmouth. Stefan Cleveland is a sophomore and is the lone returning keeper listed on the 2013 roster. This may hurt the Big Green as the season starts out. Sean Donovan and Noah Cohen were the two goalies in 2012, with Cohen seeing the most time in net. Cohen’s 1.30 goals-against average was a big reason why the Big Green went 6-2 in the second half of the year, not to mention why Dartmouth won five games that were decided by just one goal. There are eight seniors on the roster, but eight freshmen and six sophomores also have spots in the lineup and that skews the team a little younger. Being without certain scorers may hinder Dartmouth a bit as the season approaches
Final Projection:
There are five true defenders on the squad, all of them sophomores or better, and that will help Dartmouth as the season goes on. There are also seven forwards marked on the roster that are in their second year or better, so experience should be no problem as Dartmouth advances through the season. The first four regular-season games are at home in Hanover, New Hampshire, so it will help that the team does not have to take a road trip early. Since the Southeastern Conference does not have soccer, Dartmouth will play Kentucky and South Carolina as opponents from Conference USA. Like last year, the Brown game is the final one of the season, but Dartmouth cannot look that far ahead lest it forget how to win games prior to that one. The Big Green need to stay healthy prior to that Brown matchup, which could decide the Ivy League title if everything works out to Dartmouth’s advantage. Brown should be the team to watch once again in the Ivy League, and since the conference will award likely one spot come tournament time, the Big Green need to be on top as the season comes to a close.
Projected Postseason: None
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Alex Adelabu, Junior, F, 9
Assists: Kevin Dzierzawski, Senior, MF, 4; Colin Heffron, Junior, MF, 4
Shots: Colin Heffron, Junior, MF, 27
Saves: None
Madness 2013 Men’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#75 Emmanuel Arteaga
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