Caples was disappointed with the team’s lack of effort in the first half.
“We got outplayed in every aspect of the game,” Caples said. “We have to learn how to play for 70 minutes.”
Harvard came out strong in the second stanza but couldn’t convert on some early scoring chances.
Dartmouth then put the game away in the 41st minute when midfielder Caitlin Barrett outmaneuvered Zacarian and backhanded a shot to give the Big Green a 4-1 advantage.
The Crimson kept constant pressure on the Dartmouth defense throughout the second half but could not convert on set plays, creating nine penalty corners and only one goal.
Pell picked up her team-leading eighth goal of the season in the 56th minute by tipping in another Maasdorp shot on a corner.
Overall, the Crimson converted only 2 of 13 penalty corners, while the Big Green went 2-for-6.
Harvard takes on Providence on Wednesday at 3 p.m. on Jordan Field in a game that was postponed from earlier in the season.