Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. – Fifth-ranked Tufts Men's Soccer played 110 hard minutes that resulted in a 0-0 draw in a double overtime road contest against fourth-ranked Connecticut College on Saturday at Freeman Field.
Tufts (10-0-2, 5-0-2 NESCAC) and Connecticut College (10-0-2, 6-0-2 NESCAC) came out looking to be the aggressors in a battle of two top-five teams looking for sole possession of first place. Both defenses controlled the pace early as there wasn't a shot attempted through the first 11 minutes of the game and neither offense could get anything going. The Jumbos had the first shot on goal in the 20th minute on the boot of junior midfielder Brett Rojas, but it was saved by Camel sophomore goalie AJ Marcucci.
The Camels generated their best scoring chance of the half off a corner kick from senior forward Christian Murphy that found the head of sophomore defender Liam Donelan and was blocked by the Jumbo defense in the 27th minute. Again, over the next 16 minutes, there were no shots attempted as defense dominated play in the first half looking to get their offenses opportunities. Junior midfielder Zach Trevorrow of the Jumbos had a look in the 43rd minute that went wide of the goal.
In the first half, Tufts attempted four shots (one on goal) to one shot by Connecticut College. Marcucci recorded one save in the only shot on goal in the first 45 minutes of action. The Camels generated the only corner of the half as both backlines dominated. The brown and blue committed seven fouls to Connecticut College's six fouls.
Connecticut College came out the half quick when junior midfielder Matt Butera attempted a shot on goal with his right foot that was saved by senior goalie Conner Mieth. After Butera's shot, the Jumbos then tallied three shots within a two-minute span. Tufts midfielder Jack Delaney had a scoring chance in the 63rd minute that was saved by Marcucci. The brown and blue were also able to generate two corner kicks as they continued to dominate possession.
The Jumbos had their best opportunity to strike in the 80th minute when Rojas put one on net that was stopped by Marcucci to keep things even at 0-0. Rojas came back two minutes later and was able to get another shot on goal, but again Marcucci came up big for the Camels. The final shot of regulation came in the 88th minute when senior back Sterling Weatherbie fired on the net that again couldn't give Tufts the advantage.
Tufts came into overtime with a 2-0-1 record once 90 minutes ended. Jumbo junior forward Zach Lane attempted a shot in the first minute of overtime that was blocked by the Camel defense. Connecticut College came back down the field in the 94th minute with sophomore forward Liam Noonan having a chance blocked by Tufts. Over the course of the first overtime, there were no shots that got on net by either side.
In the second overtime, Delaney took a corner for the Jumbos as they looked to end the contest, but the kick was sent away by the Camels. Tufts had the best chance of double overtime come in the 106th minute when Delaney fired a shot on goal that once again was saved by Marcucci. The Jumbos had a final rush up the middle of the field in the last minute of the game, but were called for offsides.
For the game, the Jumbos dominated the total shots recording 18 (six on goal) to four (one on goal). Marcucci led the game with six saves while Mieth tallied one save. Tufts created four corner kick opportunities to Connecticut College's two. Each team ended up being called for 12 fouls respectively. Rojas led the game with three shots on goal. The Jumbo defense has only allowed two shots on goal in the team's last two games.
Tufts will next be in action on Sunday when they travel to NESCAC opponent Trinity for a 3:00 pm kickoff. Connecticut College will next play on Tuesday as they host Rhode Island College at 3:30 pm.
Written By Athletic Communications Intern Bryan Costello
