Box Score BEVERLY, Mass. – The Tufts University men's soccer team opened its 2016 season with a 1-0 setback at Endicott Tuesday evening in Beverly, Massachusetts.
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| Brett Rojas recorded a team-high four shots in his collegiate debut |
Freshman midfielder Rieley Hoffman scored his first collegiate goal for the Gulls (2-1) on a header in the 58th minute, which was generated by a free kick from junior back Brendan McLaughlin.
The Jumbos (0-1) attempted to generate the equalizer down the stretch by increasing the amount of pressure, which resulted in a 10-2 shot advantage during the final 32 minutes, 9 seconds. Freshman midfielder/forward Gavin Tasker and senior forward Gaston Becherano posted quality chances in the 80th and 81st minutes, respectively, but senior goalkeeper Nick Weinstein stopped both shots.
Weinstein recorded his second shutout of the season for the Gulls, while tying his season-high save total with eight. Senior goalkeeper Scott Greenwood made a pair of saves for the Jumbos.
The defeat put an end to the Jumbos streak of four consecutive season-opening victories, dating back to 2012. The last time the Jumbos lost a season opener was in 2010, when the team fell, 1-0, to Middlebury, which was during seventh-year head coach Josh Shapiro's first year at the helm. The Jumbos defeated the Gulls, 3-1, to open up the 2015 season.
The 16th-ranked Jumbos showed glimpses of their potential, as they outshot the Gulls, 15-6, including an 8-3 edge in shots on goal. Freshman midfielder Brett Rojas led the way with a team-high four shots, with two of them being on goal. Becherano posted a trio of shots, with two being on target.
The game was a highly-contested and physical match, as the Jumbos were tagged with 20 fouls, while Endicott committed eight fouls. Each team was charged with one yellow-card booking, while the Jumbos held a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Tasker, Jack Delaney, Joseph Braun, Zachary Trevorrow, Tanner Jameson and Rojas all made their collegiate debuts. Braun registered two shots, with one being on goal, while Tasker posted one shot on goal and Delaney registered a pair of shots.
The Jumbos will spend the next couple of days preparing for NESCAC play, which starts Saturday (3 p.m.) at Colby. The squad will make the voyage to Wenham, Massachusetts, for a matchup against Gordon on Wednesday (Sept. 14) at 4:30 p.m. The team will host its home opener on Saturday (Sept. 17) against Bates at 2:30 p.m.
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