After dropping the first two Ivy League matchups, men’s soccer traveled to New York on Saturday to face Columbia University. Eidur Baldvinsson ’28’s second-half strike put the Big Green in front for their first Ivy League win of the season.
The Big Green got on the board in the 33rd minute after forward James Wilson ’26 came down the right flank, beat his defender and played a perfect cross into Columbia’s box. Forward Ben Bilden ’29 headed the ball in for his first Dartmouth goal.
“I knew that James was looking to beat his man down the line, so I was just focused on getting into the right position in the box to get on the end of his service,” Bilden said. “He had a great cross into the box, and fortunately I was in the right place at the right time to finish the opportunity.”
Columbia had a few chances to score throughout the half, such as forward Andres Garcia’s free kick in the 25th minute, which was deflected in the box. The stray ball found midfielder Alessandro Franciosa, but his low-driven shot was saved by keeper TJ Jeffreys ’29.
Dartmouth head coach Bo Oshoniyi applauded Jeffreys and Bilden after the game.
“TJ came up with some really big saves at critical moments of the match, and Ben scored his first college goal which is huge for him and the team,” Oshoniyi said. “My hope is that this gives him even more confidence going down the stretch run of the season.”
The two sides tallied three shots with one on goal each at the end of the 45 minute half. Although thirteen fouls were called, defender Alexis Huneau ’27 received the sole yellow card.
Less than two minutes into the second half, Columbia saw an equalizer when first-year midfielder Stepan Kapranov’s low shot from outside the box snuck past Jeffreys and found the back of the net.
The parity lasted just ten minutes. The Big Green scored a second goal after a failed Columbia clearance. Midfielder Olly Spicer ’29 received a pass at the edge of the box and played the ball to target man Eidur Baldvinsson ’28, who slotted the ball in from a tight angle at close range.
“It all happened fast. I remember thinking about just passing the ball to Olly, and when he got the ball I had some space to get it back,” Baldvinsson said. “Olly played a great ball through, and then I just wanted to shoot it near post, and thankfully the goalkeeper couldn’t make the save.”
Just one minute after the second Dartmouth goal, Huneau was sent off after receiving a second yellow for holding an opponent.
The Lions ramped up the pressure. Playing with an extra man, Columbia registered eight shots in the half compared to Dartmouth’s two, and was awarded five corners. However, the Big Green was able to successfully absorb the pressure and hold on for the win.
“It was big — last year we went a man down against Columbia and ended up only getting one point out of the match,” Oshoniyi said, referring to the team’s 2-2 draw last season at home.
“The mentality that we had was great, fought like dogs all the way to the end to secure the win,” Baldvinsson said.
Bilden praised the willpower and determination of the team.
“There was a common belief amongst the group that we were going to win this game, and that never changed despite going down a man early in the second half.”
The second half saw similar levels of physicality, with a total of ten fouls between the two sides and two yellow cards shown.
The win brings Dartmouth to 2-4-3 overall and 1-2-0 in the Ivy League. The Big Green will travel to New Haven, Conn. on Saturday to face Yale University, hoping to keep their momentum alive.
“It was great to get our first Ivy league win — the team needed this to keep us in the hunt to make the conference tournament,” Oshoniyi said. “We told the guys you are only as good as your next game, so the match against Yale is what we are focused on now.”
