Box Score BRUNSWICK, Maine – Freshman midfielder Ely Spencer registered a two-goal game for the Bowdoin College men's soccer team, as the Polar Bears defeated No. 19 Tufts University, 2-1, Tuesday afternoon in Brunswick, Maine.
Senior goalkeeper Noah Safian (4-0-1) earned the victory in net for the Polar Bears (8-3-4, 4-3-3 in NESCAC), as he posted a season-high 10 saves. Senior goalkeeper Scott Greenwood (8-3-1) posted one save for the Jumbos (9-4-2, 6-2-2 in NESCAC), as he was tagged with the loss.
The loss ended the Jumbos' seven-game unbeaten streak, and it is first time the squad has lost a game since Sept. 27, when it fell, 1-0, to visiting Wesleyan University. The Jumbos finish the regular season with 20 points in the NESCAC standings, and they will be the No. 2 seed in the NESCAC Tournament. The team will host a quarterfinal-round game in the conference tournament on Saturday, with the time of the match and opponent to be determined.
The Jumbos posted the first four shots of the contest, including a strike on goal from junior midfielder Tyler Kulcsar, but Safian denied the attempt in the sixth minute. Senior midfielder Kevin Lawson posted a header shot during the 22nd minute, but Safian was able to make the stop.
Safian denied freshman midfielder/back Zachary Trevorrow's shot in the 30th minute, and then Greenwood denied sophomore back Matty McColl's drive during the 35th minute of action.
Spencer (team-high three shots) gave the Polar Bears reason to be excited heading into intermission, as he posted his first goal of the game during the 44th minute assisted by junior back Ben Ginzberg.
The Jumbos controlled the second half from a statistical standpoint, as they outshot the Polar Bears, 13-2, and held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks. Freshman midfielder Brett Rojas tried to generate the equalizer in the 63rd minute, but his shot was turned aside by Safian.
Safian stood tall throughout the second half, as he denied senior back Daniel Sullivan in the 65th minute, junior midfielder Dexter Eichhorst in the 70th minute and sophomore back Sterling Weatherbie in the 71st minute. Rojas again tried to even the game in the 82nd minute, but Safian came up with a crucial save.
The Polar Bears netted a crucial insurance goal in the 85th minute, when Spencer found the back of the net for the fourth time this season. The Jumbos made the game a one-goal contest in the 90th minute, as junior midfielder Christian Zazzali netted his second goal of the season with 11 seconds remaining assisted by junior midfielder Kevin Halliday (game-high five shots). The Jumbos ultimately fought to the final whistle, but the Polar Bears held on for the one-goal victory.
The Jumbos outshot the Polar Bears, 20-5, during the course of the game, while holding a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. The Jumbos fired 11 shots on goal, while the Polar Bears recorded three. The Polar Bears were guilty of 13 fouls, while the Jumbos were whistled for eight infractions. Each team was the recipient of one yellow-card booking.
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