Bauer's Late Goal Lifts Jumbo Men's Soccer to Thrilling 2-1 NESCAC Win Over Hamilton

Sophomore Maxime Hoppenot had a goal and an assist for Tufts

SOMERVILLE - One of five players recognized before the game on Seniors Day, Tufts' Pat Bauer (Portland, OR) capped the festivities by scoring in the final minute to give the Jumbos a 2-1 victory over Hamilton College in a NESCAC men's soccer match on Saturday afternoon at Kraft Field.

In a scintillating second half, Hamilton had scored in the 79th minute to tie the game at 1-1. Senior Anthony Balbo (Poughkeepsie, NY) took a pass from sophomore Jacob Frost (Patterson, NY) and chipped a shot over the Tufts junior keeper Wyatt Zeller (Sea Ranch Lakes, FL).

With the score tied 1-1, intense action in the final 10 minutes included a Zeller save on a drive from the top of the box by Hamilton junior Leo Nizzi (Frankfort, NY). Hamilton senior keeper Eric Boole (Medfield, MA) also stopped shots by Jumbos Jason Kayne (Deerfield, IL) and Scott Blumenthal (Simsbury, CT). Tufts had nine shots in the second half and Hamilton had six.

As the clock wound down towards one minute remaining in regulation, Tufts sophomore Maxime Hoppenot (Princeton, NJ) made a run into the box and tapped a close pass to Bauer, who finished to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage.

However, Hamilton didn't concede and Zeller had to make a fine save on a chance by Balbo before the Jumbos were able to celebrate the win.

All of the scoring came in the second half. Hoppenot put Tufts on the board in the 54th minute, taking a pass from Kayne and depositing the ball into the lower left corner for his team-high seventh goal of the year.

Zeller soon after made a strong play on a dangerous cross by Hamilton's Nizzi. Sophomore Chris Holm (Rochester, NY) put the ball at freshman John McGuinnis' (Chagrin Falls, OH) in the middle of the box, but the Tufts defense was able to deny another good Continental opportunity. Hamilton would eventually break though, only to have Tufts take it in the end.

The Jumbos had a 12-8 advantage in shots for the game, with Boole making four saves and Zeller two. Corners were 10-2 Tufts.

For the Jumbos (7-3-3, 4-2-3), the win sets up a showdown with Bowdoin at Kraft Field on Wednesday. The teams will compete for the fourth and final home-field berth into the conference tournament. The Jumbos need to win or tie.

Hamilton (4-7-2, 2-6-2 NESCAC) was prevented from earning a spot in the NESCAC Championship field with today's close loss. The Continentals finish their season on Tuesday at Utica.

Match statistics

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