Box Score MEDFORD – Goals from senior Brett Rojas and junior Max Jacobs propelled the #1 Tufts University men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Trinity College in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play on Saturday afternoon at Bello Field.
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| Junior Max Jacobs has tallied a point in six straight games. |
The Jumbos improve to 8-0-1 with a 4-0-1 record in NESCAC play. The Bantams fall to 1-8-0 with a 0-5-0 record in conference play.
Tufts earned the first strong opportunity stemming from a pair of corner kicks, one from each side. The first came from Rojas, but that was cleared out the endline by a Trinity defender. The second came from junior Travis Van Brewer. The attempt came from the right corner and went to senior Joe Braun in the middle of the box. His shot went right at the Bantam goalkeeper, Everett Lyons, who made the save.
Another opportunity for the Jumbos came in the 20th minute as sophomore Ian Daly scooped up a loose ball inside the box and fired a shot that Lyons saved. Just two minutes later came a spree of shots for Tufts. A shot by Rojas was blocked, the rebound found senior Zach Lane. His shot was stopped by Dagoberto Nunez who was protecting the empty goal. Classmate Gavin Tasker fired the rebound shot, but Lyons made another save to keep the game scoreless.
After a set of substitutions by Tufts, they would strike first in the 23rd minute. Junior Alex Ratzan forced a turnover in the attacking zone. He sent a ball forward through the backline of Trinity to Rojas. Rojas fired a shot with his left foot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
The Jumbos nearly extended their lead on two occasions, both by senior Zach Trevorrow. After a drive by junior Calvin Aroh, he drew a foul just outside of the 18-yard box. This resulted in an indirect kick for the Jumbos. Senior Drew Stern rolled the ball to Trevorrow. His shot went just over the crossbar. Trevorrow just minutes later was free on the left post and attempted a bicycle kick that went just high after Jacobs chipped a ball to him from the right post.
The best opportunity for Trinity came in the opening minutes of the second half as Logan Peterson found himself in free space within the Jumbo backline and fired a shot on goal that was stopped by sophomore goalkeeper, Erich Kindermann.
Tufts had two strong opportunities in the 59th and 61st minute as Lyons was forced to make a diving save on a Daly shot from the right side of the box. Van Brewer headed a ball on goal that bounced off the left goal post and stayed out of the net.
The Jumbos extended their lead with a goal in the 86th minute. A throw-in for Tufts went to Jacobs who chipped a ball to sophomore Zach Seigelstein. Seigelstein sent a pass to Jacobs who was driving towards goal. Jacobs fired a shot with his left foot into the back of the goal which gave the Jumbos a 2-0 lead.
Tufts closed out the remaining four minutes by locking down their defensive end of the field.
Kindermann earned his first career win and shutout in his first career start. Lyons made eight saves on 10 shots on goal in the losing effort.
The Jumbos head to Babson on Tuesday for a non-conference match-up at 3:30 pm. This is their last non-conference contest of the season. Trinity has a quick turnaround as they head to Bates on Sunday for a 3 pm start.
