Late Goal Downs Dartmouth in Season Opener Against Saint Mary’s

Friday, September 1

Moraga, Calif. / Saint Mary's Stadium

8:00 PM

Dartmouth College

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Saint Mary's

2-1-0, 0-0-0

Dartmouth

Saint Mary's (CA)

Photo by: Justin Lafleur

Late Goal Downs Dartmouth in Season Opener Against Saint Mary’s

9/1/2023 10:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Vasilis Moiras scored the first goal of his collegiate career on Friday

By: Francis Forte

MORAGA, Calif. — Dartmouth and Saint Mary's battled throughout the late afternoon in sunny Moraga, California, on Friday in a contest that looked destined for a draw. But with just 98 seconds remaining, Saint Mary's scored the tie-breaker to spoil Dartmouth's season opener by a 2-1 margin.

The Big Green (0-1-0, 0-0-0 Ivy League) struck first in the first half, as freshman Vasilis Moiras scored from outside the 18-yard box to put his team in front. A two-goal performance from Saint Mary's Tyler Hardin in the second half gave the Gaels (2-1-0, 0-0-0 WCC) the home victory. Sophomore goalkeeper Costi Christodoulou made five second half saves to keep his team in the contest.

"I thought it was a really good college soccer game," Bobby Clark Head Coach of Men's Soccer Bo Oshoniyi said. "We told the guys that this is their first run-out and hopefully we can grow from this. As long as we're growing from it, we'll be a lot better moving forward into our game against Cal."

How it happened:
The opening moments of the contest saw little offense from either team. Saint Mary's sent two shots toward Dartmouth's net but were unable to test Christodoulou with a chance on goal. The Big Green and Saint Mary's did not manage a shot on goal for the first 24 minutes of play.

Dartmouth forced a corner kick in the 25^th minute, which led to the largest burst of offense for the visitors to that point. After a solid corner opportunity for the Big Green, Dartmouth continued to apply pressure in front of the Saint Mary's keeper.

Oskar Magnusson forced a ball across the box, causing trouble for the Gaels defensively. James Wilson corralled the ball and set up Moiras just outside the 18-yard box. After a move to elude a defender, the freshman ripped a shot past the diving hands of Jack Landreth to break the scoreless tie.

Moiras' goal marked the first of his collegiate career in his first start with the Big Green. Wilson's assist served as his first collegiate point, as Dartmouth led 1-0 with just over 20 minutes to play in the first half.

The Big Green were sound defensively in the first half. Dartmouth did not allow a shot on goal from the Gaels in the opening 45 minutes of action and were mindful around the net of Christodoulou, making timely blocks and clears to keep the home squad off the board.

A rough tackle from Jude Zamora in the opening minute of the second half drew the first yellow card of the contest.

Saint Mary's tied the game in the 48^th minute, as a shot from Hardin bounced into the net following a defensive miscommunication inside the box.

Christodoulou made his first stop of the afternoon on a free kick from the Gaels following a yellow card foul by the Big Green. Saint Mary's continued to pressure Dartmouth's defense, as a hard shot whistled over the Big Green net in the 52^nd minute.

Saint Mary's offense continued to create chances, as a shot from Riley Lynch hit the post behind Christodoulou. Moments later, a follow-up chance from Hardin was sent over the crossbar, keeping the game tied in the 55^th minute.

A cross into the box from Saint Mary's set Timothy Stephens up for a header towards the goal. Christodoulou stopped the chance and corralled the ball in the air to prevent a second chance, keeping the game tied in the 78^th minute.

Saint Mary's broke the tie in the 89^th minute, as Hardin collected his second goal of the game. Dartmouth was unable to find an equalizer in the final minute of play, falling to the Gaels in the first-ever meeting between the programs.

Up Next:
Dartmouth closes its time in California with a Labor Day matchup against Cal this Monday, Sept. 4. The game will begin at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.

The Big Green kicks its home slate on Sept. 9 against Holy Cross. Dartmouth takes the pitch at Burnham Field against the Crusaders at 7 p.m. Single-game and season tickets are available through the Dartmouth Athletics Ticket Office.