Late Rally Gives Men's Soccer a 2-1 Victory over Vermont

HANOVER, N.H. – Trailing by one with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, the Dartmouth men’s soccer team went on to score two goals within 66 minutes to defeat Vermont, 2-1, on Burnham Field Tuesday evening.

Sophomores Matt Danilack and Matt Greer were credited with the goals, with Danilack scoring the game-tying marker and Greer earning his first game-winner of the season. Greer also earned the assist on Danilack’s tally. 

The Big Green improved to 5-3-1, while the Catamounts dipped to 5-5-1.

“I give credit to Vermont,” head coach Chad Riley said. “They are a good team and had some good chances. We were disappointed to give up one goal on a set piece, but what a fantastic response we had to that. It showed a lot of character and leadership and it made me proud to see that we didn’t lose composure. It was a good team effort. A lot of people stepped up and played a very good game. I am very proud.” 

Vermont had its first real attempt at a goal in the 25th minute, when one of its players intercepted a cross near Dartmouth’s goal and took the ball towards junior James Hickok in net on the foot of a speedy Catamount, being stopped only when a Green defender kicked the ball out.

The Catamounts controlled the action in the second half, outshooting the home team, 9-6. With 24 minutes remaining in regulation, Miralles shot from just outside the box and sent the ball past Hickok. Lucky for Dartmouth, junior Ricardo Perez was in the net to prevent the goal.

At 74:11, a yellow card gave the visitors a free kick and was headed out by a Dartmouth defender in the box. The ball was sent directly to Nile Walwyn, who kicked it through a sea of Big Green players into the right of the net to put Vermont up by one with 15 minutes to go. 

With the clock at 87:55, Greer’s corner kick landed right in the center of the box and was headed into the left corner by Danilack, tying the score at one with just two minutes to play. At 89:01, with the ball was deep in Dartmouth territory, it got knocked out and sent to Greer, who was completely open in the field. He evaded one defender, which put him head-to-head with the Greg Walton in net and the sophomore sent the ball into the right of the net past a diving keeper.

The Catamounts outshot the Big Green, 14-11, and had a 10-4 advantage in corner kicks. Hickok earned his second win of the year and stopped just one shot, while Walton had to make five saves.

Dartmouth will be on the road for two Ivy League matches, heading to Yale for a 4 p.m. game on Oct. 10 before traveling to Philadelphia to take on Penn at 7:30 p.m. the following Saturday, Oct. 17.