About a month after announcing that former men’s soccer coach Bo Oshoniyi’s contract would not be renewed, the Big Green have found their new sideline boss, Connor Klekota.
“Connor brings a championship pedigree, a contagious passion for the game, and a deep commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes,” Dartmouth Athletic Director Mike Harrity said in a news release announcing the hiring.
Klekota was most recently an assistant coach for the Georgetown men’s team and was part of the staff when the Hoyas won a national championship in 2019.
“I can’t wait to get started at Dartmouth. I want to thank Mike Harrity, Kristine Fowler, and Taurian Houston for giving me this opportunity to lead the men’s soccer program. Dartmouth men’s soccer has a tradition of success, and I am excited to build a program that adds to its strong history,” Klekota said in the news release.
Notably, Klekota played collegiate soccer at Notre Dame, under the position’s namesake Bobby Clark, who coached the Big Green from 1985 to 1993.
“I want to thank Dartmouth alumnus Brian Wiese for his belief in me and mentorship over the past eight years at Georgetown. Finally, Bobby Clark was instrumental in my journey to be a coach, and there is not a bigger honor than to work under Boss’s name each day,” Klekota added in the news release.
Klekota will take up the task of turning around a program that was 3-8-3 last season and has not had double-digit wins since 2017.
Schram extended
Women’s soccer coach Taylor Schram is staying with the Big Green and has been signed to a multi-year contract extension.
“I’m thrilled to continue partnering with Taylor in her leadership of our women’s soccer program. From her first day, Taylor has demonstrated a deep commitment to developing our student-athletes both on and off the field, and a relentless drive for excellence,” Harrity said in a news release announcing the extension.
The women’s soccer team is coming off a season in which it won the Ivy League Tournament for the first time in program history this past fall, clinching a spot in the NCAA tournament for the first time in 20 years.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue leading Dartmouth women’s soccer,” Schram said in the news release.
Football athletes earn All-American honors
Senior tight end Chris Corbo, who had 516 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 45 receptions this fall, and senior offensive tackle Delby Lemieux were named AP First-Team All-Americans, making the total in program history now seven.
Junior safety Harrison Keith was named an honorable mention for a season that included four interceptions and 46 tackles.
In addition to his AP All-American recognition, Corbo was also named an American Football Coaches Association First-Team All-American. Corbo and Lemieux were also named Stats Perform All-Americans.
Men’s basketball splits latest games
Last Tuesday, the Big Green traveled to Worcester, Mass., to take on Holy Cross and came up with an 89-64 win.
Kareem Thomas was Dartmouth’s leading scorer in the win with 24 points. Jayden Williams, who had 18 points, and Jackson Munro, who had 12 points, were the other members of the Big Green to score in double figures.
The Big Green hit the road again on Friday, this time for a battle with Sacred Heart, but could not keep their momentum going and fell 85-63.
Thomas paced the Big Green once again offensively, this time with 19 points. Munro had 11 points and was the only other Dartmouth player in double figures.
Dartmouth is now 5-6 overall and has a pretty challenging task ahead of it when they take on a top-25 team in the nation, the Florida Gators, in Gainesville, Fla., on Monday.
Women’s basketball heater comes to a screeching halt
The Big Green, who had been winners of five straight before its game on Saturday, ran into a buzzsaw in the form of New Hampshire, falling 74-38 on the road.
Cate MacDonald was the only member of the Big Green to score in double figures with 14 points.
In better news for the squad, Debra Hill was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week for her performance in last Tuesday’s win over Franklin Pierce. She scored 14 points.
Dartmouth is now 8-3 overall and will do battle with another regional foe at Vermont on Sunday.