Scott, Christodoulou Lift Dartmouth Over Niagara in Season-Opener

Friday, September 2

Niagara Falls, N.Y.

7:00 PM

Dartmouth College

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Niagara

0-3-0, 0-0-0

Dartmouth

Niagara

Garrett Scott men's soccer action versus Princeton

Photo by: John and Matt Risley

Scott, Christodoulou Lift Dartmouth Over Niagara in Season-Opener

9/2/2022 10:35:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Highlights

Costi Christodoulou records an eight-save clean sheet in 1-0 victory

By: Francis Forte

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. — The Dartmouth men's soccer team opened the 2022 season in style as the Big Green knocked off the Niagara Purple Eagles by a score of 1-0 on the road. A goal in the 72nd minute from Garrett Scott lifted Dartmouth over NU on Friday night at Niagara Field.

Dartmouth moves to 1-0 while Niagara falls to 0-3 on the year.

"It was a big first win for the boys and a great way to start the season," Scott said following the match. "I know we had a tough season last year, but it was great to see the guys bounce back and start strong."

Scott scored the first goal of his collegiate career off an assist from freshman Oskar Magnusson. Costi Christodoulou opened the season for Dartmouth in net and was up to the task, recording a clean sheet with a career-high eight saves. This match also marks Christodoulou's first career win and shutout.

A trio of freshmen, James Wilson, Sam Fenton and Sebastian Manon, made their collegiate debuts for the Big Green in the starting lineup. Magnusson made his debut as a substitute in the second half and contributed his first point on the decisive goal.

Dartmouth's best chance of the opening half came in the 22^ndminute, as a pass from David Alino set Alex van Schalkwyk up for a chance inside the 18-yard box. The shot came off van Schalkwyk's left foot and whistled wide of the goal.

Christodoulou came up large for the Big Green with just under nine minutes remaining in the first half. The sophomore made three saves in quick succession after a Niagara free kick to keep the contest scoreless.

The Big Green headed into the half with a 0-0 score behind the strong play of their goalkeeper. Christodoulou turned all four shots on goal from Niagara away in the opening 45 minutes. The Purple Eagles recorded a pair of yellow cards in the first half.

Tom Collins recorded Dartmouth's first shot on goal off a free kick in the opening moments of the second half. The chance was punched away by Niagara's Josh Savoni.

The scoreless tie was broken halfway through the second half, as Scott put a header past Savoni off a Magnusson free kick, giving Dartmouth the 1-0 lead.

A late opportunity for the Purple Eagles rang off the post in the dying seconds of the contest. Dartmouth was able to defend the subsequent corner kick to seal the season-opening match. The Big Green improve to 2-0 against Niagara all-time.

"It was obviously a nice way to start the season," Christodoulou said. "It was good to get the result and nice to get the clean sheet. There's lot to build on, but it's a great win and a building block to keep pushing forward."

Dartmouth continues its time in upstate New York with a matchup with Canisius in Buffalo this Monday, September 5. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and the contest will be streamed on the Golden Griffin Broadcast Network.

Notes: Dartmouth picked up a win in a season-opener for the first time since 2010 (Sept. 4 vs. Holy Cross). Christodoulou recorded his first-career win and shutout and set a career-high in saves with eight. Scott scored the first goal of his Big Green career in the win.