Big Green Slay Spartans, 2-1

Saturday, September 14

Hanover, N.H.

7:00 PM

Dartmouth College

2-1-0, 0-0-0

Michigan State

0-3-2, 0-0-0

Michigan St.

Dartmouth

Senior Braden Salvati

Photo by: John and Matt Risley

9/14/2019 9:41:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photos by John and Matt Risley

Dartmouth defeated its first Power Five opponent since 2014

By: Mike Miezejeski

HANOVER, N.H. – Playing in front of a raucous Burnham Field crowd Saturday night, Dartmouth men's soccer came away with a key, 2-1, non-conference victory over Michigan State. Braden Salvati netted the first goal for the Big Green in the 34th minute and Zach Kalk sent home the game winner in the 78th minute.

Dartmouth improves to 2-1-0 and picks up its first-ever win over Michigan State, snagging its first victory over a Power 5 opponent since 2014. MSU drops to 0-3-2 and has now lost back-to-back games to Ivy League teams. Goalkeeper Alex Budnik finished with five saves, including a critical diving stop in the 67th minute.

It was a physical game throughout with six total yellow cards. The Big Green and Spartans went back and forth with shots in the early going. MSU had four compared to Dartmouth's three in the first 33 minutes.

In the 34th minute, Salvati collected a rebound off the MSU keeper and found the back of the net. Dawson McCartney started the goal with a free kick and Clayton Molter had the initial shot that opened the door for Salvati to give the Big Green the 1-0 lead.

MSU attempted to even the score with three shots on goal as the first-half clock ticked down, but Budnik stopped the ball each time, maintaining the advantage for Dartmouth at the break.

It did not take long for the Spartans to level the score, though, as in the 52nd minute, Cody Sweatte sent a cross to Michael Miller in front of the goal who knocked it home to tie the game at 1-1.

The Spartans had 10 of the next 11 shots with Budnik making two saves in that span. Dartmouth was finally able to put pressure on the MSU defense in the 78th minute. Kota Sakurai weaved his way through the Spartan back line and found Kalk who got past his man and beat the keeper for the game winner.

The road doesn't get easier for the Big Green with their next test at No. 21 New Hampshire Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

Hear from Coach Bo Oshoniyi after the 2-1 victory over Michigan State Saturday night pic.twitter.com/58FCFypRM3
— Dartmouth M Soccer (@DartmouthMSoc) September 15, 2019