Box Score
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Senior co-captain Pat Bauer scored his first collegiate goal in the game
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MEDFORD - Sophomore Gus Santos (Framingham, MA) scored a goal and assisted on another in the first half and the Tufts men's soccer team went on to a 4-0 victory against Bates College in NESCAC action at Bello Field Sunday.
The Jumbos ended a three-game winless streak (0-1-2) with the victory and improved to 5-1-2 overall and 3-1-2 in NESCAC. After scoring just once in their previous three conference games, the four goals by Tufts on Sunday were the most in a league game since a 5-0 win against Bowdoin on October 7, 2006.
The Tufts defense recorded its fifth shutout in eight games this fall, allowing just five Bates shots. Senior goalkeeper Wyatt Zeller (Sea Ranch Lakes, FL) needed only two saves to earn the win.
Playing on the Bello turf due to rain, Santos was able to utilize his speed to help the Jumbos surge to a two-goal halftime lead. He beat the Bobcat defense with speed and footwork 11 minutes into the match, carrying the ball to the top of the box and scoring on a shot low to the right.
In the 32nd minute, Santos created more offense as his hard shot was saved by Bates freshman keeper Sam Polito (Far Hills, NJ). However, junior Scott Blumenthal (Simsbury, CT) was on the doorstep to finish the rebound and give Tufts a 2-0 lead.
The best Bates opportunity of the half came on a long free kick by senior captain John Murphy (Yarmouth, ME) that was blasted wide right by senior Nick Barron (Kirkwood, MO). However, the visitors finished the first 45 without a shot on goal.
Tufts upped its lead to 3-0 as senior co-captain Pat Bauer (Portland, OR) netted his first collegiate goal in the 60th minute. Off a Bates turnover, he touched into the box and beat Polito low left.
Another collegiate first wrapped up the Jumbo scoring in the 84th minute. Sophomore Michael Miele (Sudbury, MA) volleyed in a cross by freshman Riu Pinheiro (Princeton, NJ) for his first goal.
Murphy and sophomore Nick Ford (Columbus, OH) had shots on goal for Bates in the second half.
The Jumbos held large margins of 17-5 in shots and 9-1 in corners for the game. Bates was whistled for 21 fouls and three cards. Polito made five saves for the Bobcats, including four in the first half.
The Jumbos play at Connecticut College in conference action next Saturday at 2 pm. Bates welcomes Wesleyan for a NESCAC match that day at 2.
Match statistics
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