Box Score
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T.C. Neuhs was one of eight Jumbos recognized on Seniors Night at Bello Field
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MEDFORD - The third-ranked Tufts men's lacrosse team used a seven-goal run over the final 15:42 of the first half to separate itself from visiting Babson College and go on to an eventual 15-6 victory in Monday night non-conference action at Bello Field.
The Jumbos received goals from 10 different players, including four by junior Sean Kirwan (Boonton Township, NJ) as they improved to 12-1 overall and 7-0 at home. Babson, led by three goals from senior Armand Wilson (Fairfield, CT), dropped to 8-7.
The Beavers had early leads of 1-0 and 2-1, and then tied the score at 3-3 on the second goal of the first quarter by Wilson at the 5:31 mark. The Jumbos scored the next two, including a goal off a face-off win by junior Nick Rhoads (McLean, VA). Babson answered with a Tom Mallon (Manhasset, NY) tally that cut the Tufts led to 5-4 with 3:38 to go in the first.
However, with Babson locked into a two-minute penalty, Tufts began its run. Goals by senior Ryan Molloy (Setauket, NY) and Kirwan in the final 42 seconds of an 11-goal first quarter gave the hosts a 7-4 lead.
The Jumbos out-scored the Beavers 5-0 in the second to lead 12-4 at intermission. Kirwan scored two of the goals and sophomore Dylan Haas (Yorktown Heights, NY) added his first collegiate tally. Senior D.J. Hessler had three assists during Tufts' 7-0 stretch.
Though the fast-paced action didn't stop in the second half, the goal-scoring slowed down. Wilson stopped Tufts' streak with his third of the game at 13:35 of the third quarter to make it 12-5. After the teams traded goals making it 13-6 at the end of three, the Jumbos got the first collegiate goals by freshmen Nate Marchand (Concord, MA) and Greg Jenkins (Washington, DC) in the fourth for the 15-6 final.
Tufts unleashed a 61-shot attack, including 44 shots in the first 30 minutes. Babson sophomore goalie James Whelan (Westwood, MA) made 15 saves in the first half and finished with 17 in three quarters of play. The Jumbos dominated face-offs 18-6, with Rhoads finishing 10 for 14. Senior Alec Bialosky (Moreland Hills, OH) and freshman Kane Delaney (Brookeville, MD) had four ground balls each as the Jumbos totaled 54 overall. Molloy with a pair of goals and assists, and Hessler with a goal and three assists, joined Kirwan in scoring four points.
Freshman Patton Watkins (Chattanooga, TN) started in goal for Tufts and made five saves in one half. The game featured the return of junior goalie Steven Foglietta (Oceanside, NY), who had been out with an injury. He stopped seven shots in 24:42 of play. Sophomore Tyler Page (San Francisco, CA) finished up with one save in the final 5:18.
Babson sophomore Alex Patinkin (Providence, RI) finished with two assists. Freshman Ryan Dawidjan (Worcester, MA) collected a game-high seven of the Beavers' 38 ground balls. Sophomore Blake Dudek (Lancaster, PA) added five ground balls. Sophomore Ryan Lee (Wallingford, CT) played the final quarter in goal for Babson and made three saves.
The fast-paced affair featured a total of 68 clear attempts. Babson was unable to capitalize on any of its seven man-up opportunities.
Tufts finishes its regular-season at Bowdoin on Friday night beginning at 7 pm. The Jumbos will host a NESCAC Championship Quarterfinal on Sunday. The time is set for 1 pm, but could be subject to change if the Tufts women's team also earns a home quarterfinal berth. Babson is at Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Friday at 1 pm.
Game Box Score
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