Patton leading charge at Dartmouth
Coach has Big Green set for Notre Dame
Amy Patton grew up outside of Philadelphia and went to the University of Maryland on a lacrosse scholarship. After she graduated, she was offered a job to be head coach of the women's lacrosse team at Dartmouth. Patton knew the New England school was not a hotbed for the sport, not like Virginia or Maryland. She also knew that Hanover, N.H., was known for its snowy winters, and that the fashion mainstay was the puffy, down coat.
Suffice to say she did not jump at the offer.
``At the time, there weren't many coaching positions open, so when one came available, you kind of had to go for it," she said. ``But it was quite a change, I have to say. I think I came up thinking I'd be there for a year."
That was 14 years ago. Since then, Patton's teams have made 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament. This year, Dartmouth (13-5) reached the Final Four for the second straight year and will take on Notre Dame (15-3) tonight in the second national semifinal at Boston University's Nickerson Field. Defending national champion
``Now I've fallen in love with it, and we've built this into a really nice program," said Patton.
After a slow start this season (3-3), Dartmouth rebounded by winning 10 of its last 12, including five straight from April 15-May 3. Duke, ranked third nationally at the time, stopped the streak May 7 with a 6-4 decision.
``I really give the credit to my staff and these kids," Patton said yesterday. ``They believe. And credit goes to my administration; they really support the program well."
No surprise there, since Dartmouth's athletic director, Josie Harper, is the former women's lacrosse coach who hired Patton.
``That's a bonus, for sure, but I think they just saw that lacrosse here in the Ivy League has always been a traditionally strong sport," Patton said. ``And they gave me the resources to elevate the program."
In addition to its NCAA appearances, Dartmouth has won the Ivy title five times, and tied for the crown another three times under Patton.
Patton acknowledges the team is lacking in local recruits -- just one player on the roster is from New Hampshire.
`` But I think our roster has changed, and now we're getting kids from all over the country, which is great for the sport. And I would love to keep the New England kids in New England."
Dartmouth has never played Notre Dame, but Patton said that doesn't concern her.
``It's not about our opponent, you can't get too wrapped up in this," she said. ``You've got to really make sure you focus on yourself and play your game. And I think we've done that this year. We've done well."
That was evidenced last week, said senior defender Lizzy Cuneo, when Dartmouth pulled out a 7-6 overtime win against Princeton.
``It was definitely a tense game," Cuneo said. ``On the other hand, I think everyone was confident that we'd come out with a win. And we were pretty poised in the overtime huddles."
That kind of poise, said goalkeeper Devon Wills, is what defines Dartmouth.
``We play a different style, but that doesn't mean worse," she said. `` We would prefer to win by outworking a team rather than by outflashing them."
Women's NCAA lacrosse
Where: BU's Nickerson Field.
When: Today (first semifinal at 6 p.m., second 45 minutes after first game) and Sunday (final at noon).
Who: Duke (18-2) vs. 
