Box Score PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The reigning NCAA Division III men's soccer national champion Tufts University shut out Plymouth State University, 4-0, at Arold Field on Sunday. The Jumbos (3-0), currently ranked number one in the nation, scored twice in each half to hand the Panthers (1-3) their third straight setback.
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| Calvin Aroh scored his first collegiate goal in Sunday's game. |
Panther senior goalie Jimmy Mansour suffered his first loss of the season, making seven saves on the day.
Despite steady offensive pressure from Tufts, the Panthers stayed even with the national powerhouse until midway through the opening half. Freshman Travis Van Brewer found sophomore Zachary Trevorrow, who beat Mansour to take a 1-0 advantage in the 26th minute.
Plymouth State was able to build some momentum, winning balls at the midfield, but Tufts struck again in the 41st minute to double its lead. A cross by freshman Calvin Aroh snuck under Mansour's outstretched gloves and into the back of the net to give the Jumbos a 2-0 advantage at the half.
Sophomore Gavin Tasker gave Tufts some breathing room early in the second half. Sophomore Brett Rojas kept a ball in play just outside the six-yard box, then found Tasker, who extended the lead to three goals.
Senior Kevin Halliday closed the scoring in the 50th minute when he got past Mansour in a one-on-one.
Senior Nick Rutherford had a pair of shots blocked by the Jumbos' defense, and the Panthers' best scoring opportunity came in the 67th minute, but Tufts keeper Bruce Johnson was able to make a stop on a shot from sophomore Mauricio Acevedo.
Plymouth State will open Little East Conference play on Saturday (Sept. 16) when the Panthers travel to UMass Dartmouth for a 1:00 p.m. game.
Tufts is in action next on Saturday (Sept. 16) when they face fellow NESCAC opponent Connecticut College at 2:30 p.m. at Bello Field.
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Portions of this release courtesy of Plymouth State University
