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Josh Molofsky was one of seven players honored on Seniors Day at Tufts
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SOMERVILLE - The Tufts University Jumbos survived an offensive onslaught in the first half, but the Bowdoin College Polar Bears, ranked fifth nationally, tallied a second-half goal to earn the 1-0 victory on Friday afternoon in the NESCAC men's soccer regular-season finale at Kraft Field.
Bowdoin, which tied a school record with its 10th consecutive win, earned the #1 seed in the upcoming NESCAC Championship. They finished 6-1-2 in the league (11-1-2 overall) and they will host #8 Bates on Sunday at 12 pm. With the loss, Tufts finishes sixth in the NESCAC at 3-4-2 (5-7-2 overall), and as the #6 seed in the conference tournament will play at #3 Middlebury on Sunday afternoon in the first round at 12 pm.
The Polar Bears outshot the Jumbos 14-1 in the first half as Tufts junior keeper Alan Bernstein (Wayne, NJ) turned away six of them. With about 31 minutes left in the first, senior Ben Denton-Schneider (San Rafael, CA) had his shot glance off the hands of Bernstein, but the follow-up attempt was sent over the crossbar.
The Polar Bears had two more good chances in the first half, both off the foot of junior Nick Powell (Enfield, NH), but Bernstein made one save diving to his left, and another about a minute later by tipping the ball over the crossbar.
The best chance for Tufts to score came less than three minutes into the second frame. Junior Franco Silva (Houston, TX) was alone at the top of the box, but his shot was wide as he slipped to the turf. The field had become slippery due to passing rain showers. Bowdoin took advantage of their next opportunity with 35:39 remaining, as junior Eddie Jones (Scarborough, ME) sent a cross into the box that Powell headed home for the goal.
After just a single shot in the first, the Jumbos were able to amass five in the second half, but none of them made it on goal. Bowdoin senior keeper Dan Hicks (New York, NY) was not credited with a save in the contest, while Bernstein for Tufts compiled all of his six saves in the first half. The Polar Bears finished the match with a 20-6 shot advantage.
Match Statistics
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