Box Score MEDFORD, Mass. – The Tufts University men's soccer team earned a 2-2 double-overtime tie against visiting Hamilton Sunday afternoon at Bello Field in Medford, Massachusetts, as each team found the back of the net twice during the first half.
|
| Kevin Lawson scored his first goal of the season in the sixth minute. |
Junior goalkeeper Bruce Johnson (1-1-1) posted seven saves during the game for the Jumbos (4-3-2, 2-1-2 in NESCAC), while senior goalkeeper Harris Pollack (5-2-1) made eight for the Continentals (5-3-1, 4-1-1 in NESCAC). The Jumbos played impressive soccer over the weekend, as they earned a tie against the Continentals, who are currently in first place in the NESCAC Conference, while also defeating No. 4 Amherst, 3-0, Saturday afternoon.
The Jumbos outshot the Continentals, 20-14, including holding a 10-9 lead in terms of shots on goal. The Jumbos attempted five corner kicks, while the Continentals were awarded one. The Jumbos were charged with 18 fouls and two yellow-card bookings, as the Continentals were whistled for 14 infractions.
The Jumbos came out flying, as they took a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute when senior midfielder Kevin Lawson scored his first goal of the season. Senior captain and midfielder Zach Halliday sent a long lead pass to junior midfielder Kevin Halliday just outside the 18-yard box on the left side. Kevin Halliday then placed a perfectly executed cross into the middle of the penalty box, and Lawson stepped up and blasted it into the back of the net.
The Jumbos tried to extend their lead to 2-0 in the eighth minute, but Lawson's shot was turned away by Pollack. The Continentals answered the bell during the 11th minute, as senior midfielder Mike Lubelczyk scored his second goal of the season unassisted.
The Jumbos nearly extended their lead to 2-1 during the 15th minute of action, as freshman midfielder/back Zachary Trevorrow fired a pair of shots, with one hitting the post. The Jumbos regained a one-goal advantage in the 18th minute, as senior back Daniel Sullivan posted a header goal off a free kick by Kevin Halliday. The goal was the first of the season for Sullivan.
Johnson made a pair of quality saves for the Jumbos in the 27th minute off a header shot by Lubelczyk and in the 32nd minute off a drive by senior midfielder Alec Talsania. The Continentals generated the equalizer during the 32nd minute of play, as Talsania blasted a shot that was saved by Johnson. Freshman defender Luke Eckels then blasted the rebound into the back of the net, as he tallied his first collegiate goal.
Eckels attempted to put the Continentals in the driver's seat for the first time during the 48th minute, but his shot was turned aside by Johnson. Pollack saved freshman midfielder/forward Gavin Tasker's shot during the 50th minute.
Pollack made three crucial saves between the 66th and 74th minutes, while Johnson denied sophomore forward Rowan Myers in the 71st minute and junior midfielder Killian Clancy during the 80th minute.
The Jumbos applied pressure in the first overtime, as they posted five shots but none of them found the back of the net. The Continentals posted a pair of shots in the second-overtime session, with one requiring a save by Johnson.
The Jumbos will be on the road for three consecutive games, as they will compete against Middlebury Saturday at 1 p.m., Connecticut College Saturday (Oct. 15) at 2 p.m. and Trinity Sunday (Oct. 16) at 3:30 p.m. The squad will return to Bello Field for a 4 p.m. tilt against Keene State on Wednesday (Oct. 19).
#
