Box Score MEDFORD - In a repeat of last year's matchup, 5-0 Tufts and 2-1-2 Wesleyan found themselves knotted at 0-0 at the end of regulation. But this year, the face of the victor was a Jumbo instead of a Cardinal, as the 'Bos avenged their 2013 overtime loss to Wes. Monil Patel headed in the game-winner to record his first goal of the season and to help keep the Jumbos undefeated streak alive.
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| Monil Patel recorded the game-winner for the Jumbos in overtime |
In a contest that featured the team with the most shots in league play (Tufts with 50) and the team with the fewest shots in league play (Wesleyan with 10), it is not surprising that the Jumbos outshot the Cardinals 21-5. However, both teams created plenty of dangerous chances.
> Watch video of golden goal
> Game Talk - Coach Shapiro
The Jumbos threatened most often in the first half and their brightest effort came off a set piece with just under five minutes left in the frame. Patel floated the free kick into the box where Kyle Volpe connected with it, flicking it towards goal, but watched as it bounced off the left post.
Wesleyan controlled the midfield during the first half, despite taking zero shots. The individual skill of freshman Garrett Hardesty, senior Daniel Issroff, and junior Brandon Sousa forced the Jumbos to stay disciplined and put forth an 11-man defensive effort.
Two goose eggs stared the teams down as the second half began and Wes was keen on changing that. They came out gunning durnig the first several minutes of the half. Freshman Adam Cowie-Haskell broke away from the pack and had a one on one with goalie Scott Greenwood, who came out high in the box to defend the forward. Cowie-Haskell shot the ball at Greenwood's legs and it squeaked through, carrying with it just enough power to advance towards the Tufts goal. Tufts defender Sam Williams, in a full-out sprint, reached the ball just before it crossed the goal line, preserving Greenwood's shutout streak.
The Cardinals continued to apply pressure throughout the half, getting off five shots. Wes defender Ben Bratt took a set piece just in front of the midline that Greenwood had to tip off the crossbar. It landed at Issroff's feet, but he nailed the right post on his shot attempt. Ninety minutes came and went as the score remained 0-0.
In the overtime, Tufts controlled play, getting off seven shots to Wesleyan's zero. Gus Santos threatened first with a bullet from the top of the 18 that Wes goalkeeper Emmett McConnell pushed aside, only to see it fall to Jason Kayne, who he also denied. Later, Santos and Kayne found the ball again, but both attempts were blocked by the Cardinals' defense.
With 1:40 left on the clock, the Jumbos found their chance. Nate Majumder sliced down the left side of the box, using fancy footwork to one-time tap the ball ahead to himself. He cut inside and drilled a low shot that went off a Wes defender and out of bounds across the goal line, setting up the game-winning play. The ensuing corner kick came off the foot of Rui Pinheiro, who lofted the ball into the middle of the box. It found an unmarked Patel who headed it into the netting to end the game.
McConnell finished the game with seven saves, keeping his team in it until the end.
A hard fought game all the way through, it produced four yellow cards. One-goal games between these two sides is common, as the loneliest number has been the difference between Tufts and Wesleyan ever since the 2010 season.
The Jumbos visit Brandeis on Saturday for a 6pm start, while the Cardinals face another conference foe when they travel to Bates for a 2pm kickoff that same day.
Game Photos by Alonso Nichols / Tufts
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