Box Score GLASSBORO, N.J. – Senior forward Gaston Becherano posted his team-leading seventh game-winner of the season in the 56th minute, as the Tufts University men's soccer team defeated No. 24 Springfield College, 2-0, in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament at Rowan Soccer Field in Glassboro, New Jersey.
The Jumbos (10-5-2, 6-2-2 in NESCAC), who are making their sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, will compete against No. 9 Rowan University (17-2-1, 7-1-1 in NJAC) Sunday at 5 p.m. in second-round action of the NCAA Tournament at Rowan Soccer Field. Rowan defeated Lehman College (10-4-3, 6-0-2 in CUNYAC), 4-0, in first-round action Saturday. The Jumbos have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in four of the past five years, while the team now holds an 11-4 all-time record in the tournament.
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The Pride (18-2-1, 5-1-1 in NEWMAC) sees their season come to an end, as they team hoisted the 2016 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championship on Nov. 6 with a 3-1 victory over Wheaton College.
The Pride posted the first shot on goal of the game Saturday, as sophomore forward Christian Schneider posted a header shot, and Jumbos senior goalkeeper Scott Greenwood (9-4-1) responded with a save on the attempt. Senior midfielder Kevin Lawson fired a shot in the 34th minute, but the attempt was blocked.
Freshman forward Dexter Tenn and junior defender Mitchell Ambruso fired shots for the Pride in the 41st and 43rd minutes, respectively, but neither was on target. For the Jumbos, freshman midfielder Zach Lane's shot in the 44th minute was blocked, and then junior midfielder Tyler Kulcsar's shot 35 seconds later went wide of the net.
Junior defender Harrison Davis tallied a header shot in the 48th minute for Springfield, but the shot went wide left. Becherano's tally in the 56th minute was a header goal off a free kick from 25 yards out by junior back Stephen McMillian. Becherano leads the Jumbos in goals (12), points (25) and game-winning goals (seven).
The Pride tried to make the game a one-goal contest in the 60th minute, but junior forward Danny Murphy's shot was blocked. The Jumbos extended their lead to 2-0 in the 68th minute, as freshman midfielder/forward Gavin Tasker found the back of the net for the third time this season. Tasker placed his shot into the top corner of the net from 15 yards out, as the goal was assisted by junior midfielder Dexter Eichhorst.
The Jumbos defense did not allow a shot the rest of the way, as the team posted its ninth shutout of the season. Greenwood made one save, en route to posting his eighth shutout of the season. The Weymouth, Massachusetts, native has a program-leading 35 career shutouts. Senior goalkeeper Zach Richard (15-2-1) was tagged with the loss in net for the Pride, as he made one save.
The Jumbos held a 9-6 advantage in shots, while each team attempted five corner kicks. The Jumbos were whistled for 19 fouls, while the Pride was guilty of 14 infractions. The Jumbos were the recipients of three yellow-card bookings.
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