Dartmouth Defeated by Cal in Labor Day Matchup

Monday, September 4

Berkeley, Calif. / Edwards Stadium

4:00 PM

Dartmouth College

0-2-0, 0-0-0

Cal

2-0-2, 0-0-0

Dartmouth

California

Photo by: Chris Leung

Dartmouth Defeated by Cal in Labor Day Matchup

9/4/2023 6:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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The Big Green will return home in search of their first win next weekend against Holy Cross

By: Francis Forte

BERKELEY, Calif. — The Dartmouth men's soccer team dropped a 4-0 decision to California in a Labor Day matchup. The Big Green held the Golden Bears off the board in the first half, but a barrage of offense from the home squad in Berkeley, California, saw Dartmouth fall in its second match of the season.

The Big Green (0-2-0, 0-0-0 Ivy League) were unable to mount significant offense against Cal (2-0-2, 0-0-0 Pac-12) throughout the contest. Sophomore goalkeeper Costi Christodoulou made three saves in the loss.

"It was one of those games where we grew throughout it," Bobby Clark Head Coach of Men's Soccer Bo Oshoniyi said. "I think the first 45 minutes were excellent. We gave ourselves a chance to play against one of the best teams in the country and go toe-to-toe with them. That's the positives out of it and now we just have to continue to grow. I think we have to make sure we extend those 45 minutes into 60, 80 and 90 minutes, and I think the guys understand that."

How it happened:
The Big Green opened the game strong, pressuring Cal's defense with possession near the Golden Bear net. Oskar Magnusson attempted the first shot of the afternoon, which was blocked by a defender in the second minute of play.

Cal registered the first shot on goal of the contest in the 19^th minute, which Christodoulou handled with ease. Both teams combined for just minutes shots in the first 25 minutes.

Christodoulou kept the game scoreless in the 42^nd minute on a challenging opportunity from the Golden Bears. A crossed ball was sent on net inside the six-year box and stopped by Christodoulou, one of his three saves of the opening half.

The Golden Bears created more offense than the visiting Big Green in the first half. Cal outshot Dartmouth 7-2 in the first 45 minutes and Dartmouth was unable to challenge goalkeeper Connor Lambe with a shot on goal.

Dartmouth's defense was pressured early in the second half, as Cal maintained possession near the Big Green goal. A free kick opportunity for Golden Bears in the 48^th minute ricocheted off a Dartmouth defender in the 18-yard box and into the back of the net to give the home squad a 1-0 lead.

The Golden Bears took a commanding 2-0 lead in the 64^th minute. Christodoulou challenge an opportunity from Nonso Adimabua well, but a secondary chance from Cal Martinez bounced off a Big Green defender into the net.

A penalty kick was awarded to Cal following a hard tackle inside the 18-yard box from the Big Green. Christodoulou read the penalty correctly, getting a hand on the attempt, but was unable to keep the ball out of the net, as the Golden Bears took a 3-0 lead in the 68^th minute.

Cal added on to its lead in the 78^th minute, as a set piece off a free kick found the back of the net to increase Dartmouth's deficit to four goals. The Big Green were unable to cut into Cal's lead as the contest came to a close.

"I think it was a great learning experience for a lot of the boys," Christodoulou said of Dartmouth's trip to California. "Ultimately, we learned a lot and we're going to grow from this experience. We'll be ready come Saturday to get our first win and give our home fans something to cheer about."

Up Next:
The Big Green kicks off its home slate on Saturday, 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.