Co-captain Andy Gagel '10 said the difference in conditioning between the teams was clear.
"It was apparent by the fourth quarter [that] we were in better shape," he said. "The difference from last year is night and day."
According to head coach Andy Towers the Big Green (1-0, 0-0 Ivy) played hard, and he also credited conditioning as a major reason for the team's success.
Despite committing 10 turnovers in the first 30 minutes, co-captain Towny Swiggett '10 said Dartmouth played well and executed its game plan.
"The defense played extremely well," he said. "The offense was able to control the tempo of the game."
Assistant coach Jon Torpey reiterated that the Big Green accomplished what it wanted stopping most of the Red Raiders' transition opportunities.
Co-captain Ari Sussman '10 and Chris Costabile '13 led the way with two goals each. Costabile also had two assists, giving him a game-high four points. Sussman notched an assist as well.
Towers said Sussman and Costabile are unselfish players who play within the flow of the offense, also noting that Costabile was efficient with his shot selection.
The other goals came from co-captain Chris Root '10, who tallied two, and Nikki Dysenchuk '13, who notched the game's only man-up goal.
Dartmouth, however, was outshot 33-26 by Colgate. Goalie Mike Novosel '10 had 15 saves, finishing with a save percentage of .833.
"I think [Novosel] played the best game of his career," Towers said.
Towers also noted that Novosel caught most of the shots he saved, which resulted in more possessions for Dartmouth and less rebound opportunities for the Raiders.
The Big Green took the lead when Sussman scored late in the first quarter, but Colgate evened the score at one early in the second quarter.
Costabile returned with an unassisted goal in the second to bring Dartmouth back up. The Big Green went on to outscore the Red Raiders 4-0 in the third quarter to take a 6-1 lead into the fourth.
Colgate's two late goals brought the Raiders within four, but that was as close as they came. It was Colgate's second loss of the season, after a 7-6 loss to Binghamton University last weekend.
Torpey attributed the improvement to players returning from injuries, but cited preparation as the key to victory.
"That is one of our major strengths," he said. "Once our guys see something, they are able to learn and prepare for it."
Dartmouth also started off last year with a win, but finished with a record of 4-11.
Swiggett said he believes this victory will "set the tone for the year."
"I think if we play this way we can be put up against anyone in the country," he said.
The Big Green's next game will be its home opener on March 9 at 3 p.m. against the College of the Holy Cross.
