AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS - Massachusetts (6-4-5) earned a convincing 2-0 victory over Dartmouth (3-5-3) on Tuesday evening in a non-conference matchup. John Paul Mbuthia netted both goals for the Minutemen in front of the home crowd.
Mbuthia broke the deadlock in the 70th minute, finding the bottom left corner after a well-worked buildup play. The striker doubled his tally in the 80th minute, connecting with a precise assist from Joey Bianco to secure the win for Massachusetts.
The first half saw both teams create opportunities, with Dartmouth's Eidur Baldvinsson particularly active early. Baldvinsson tested the Massachusetts defense with three shots in the opening 20 minutes, including a dangerous attempt in the 17th minute that required a save. The visitors showed tactical discipline, but Massachusetts gradually established control of possession, forcing three corners before halftime.
The second half brought increased intensity from the Minutemen, who dominated possession and created multiple scoring chances. Matt Cence and Ivan Vrh both had quality opportunities before Mbuthia's breakthrough. Dartmouth's resistance was finally broken when Mbuthia struck his first goal, fundamentally changing the complexion of the match. The Big Green pushed forward seeking an equalizer, but this left space for Massachusetts to exploit, leading to Mbuthia's second goal.
Massachusetts demonstrated their offensive superiority throughout the match, outshooting Dartmouth 18-8, with 12 shots on target compared to the visitors' 3. The Minutemen also held an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks. The physical nature of the match was evident in the card count, with Massachusetts receiving three yellow cards (Jalen Belong, Aidan Kelly, and Magnus Halldorsson) while Dartmouth saw two cautions (Olly Spicer and Douglas Arveskar).
John Paul Mbuthia's clinical finishing proved decisive, while Joey Bianco's playmaking ability was instrumental in creating opportunities. Dartmouth's Cameron Brayne showed moments of promise in midfield, while Will Lulka worked tirelessly to disrupt Massachusetts' attacking rhythm before being substituted in the 73rd minute.
Massachusetts head coach employed effective tactical adjustments, particularly after the hour mark, utilizing the width of the field to stretch Dartmouth's defense. The introduction of fresh legs through strategic substitutions, including the removal of Gavin Brummer and Shun Murasawa around the 60-minute mark, helped maintain the high-pressing approach that eventually wore down the visitors.
The victory extends Massachusetts' positive home form and demonstrates their ability to control matches against quality opposition. For Dartmouth, despite showing defensive resilience for large portions of the match, their inability to convert limited attacking opportunities proved costly, ending their two-game winning streak.
Looking ahead, Massachusetts will travel to face St. Thomas (MN) on October 25, while Dartmouth returns to Ivy League play hosting Penn in an evening matchup on the same date. The Minutemen will look to build on this momentum, while the Big Green must regroup quickly to maintain their conference aspirations.