Box Score 
MEDFORD - In a chippy and hard-fought match against another NESCAC opponent in Bates, Tufts Men's Soccer prevailed 2-0 with goals from defender Biagio Paoletta and forward Sean Traynor on Saturday at Bello Field.
The defensive line also performed brilliantly today as Gibson Campbell, Ian Daly, Max Clivio and Paoletta, and goalie Erik Lauta (pictured) kept a clean sheet.
The game began with little action as each team got used to the wind. Physical play from Bates, a taller team than Tufts, was matched by Tufts' aggressiveness as they would accrue 14 fouls over the course of the game. However, the offensive play from Tufts finally peeked through as the game warmed up - especially exquisite wing play from Traynor and forward Mati Cano. Tufts claimed its first goal of the day after Cano got the ball on the left side of the opposing team's box and won a corner in the 31st minute. Midfielder Travis Van Brewer sent a shallow cross that seemed to deflect off forward Max Jacobs' head across the box to Paoletta who finished the job to score his second goal of the season.
The Jumbos created more scoring chances throughout the remainder of the first half, but they would find their second goal in the next half of play. Tufts started the second half with intensity, and Mikey Brady almost found the goal in the 47th minute, but his shot went slightly left of the post. Bates, who had trouble maintaining possession for most of the game, finally found holes in Tufts' formation, and their best chance came when defender Freddy Hohmann found space in the box to put a shot on goal that he sent straight to the hands of Lauta.
After taking the punches that Bates threw, the Jumbos countered in the 79th minute when midfielder Derek Enge sent a through ball to Traynor on the right-hand side of the field. Traynor went on to beat two defenders and strike the ball into the back of the net with his right foot.
The Jumbos continued to pressure and create a few more scoring chances before the game ended, but the score stopped at 2-0.
Tufts finished with 13 shots and nine corners, while Bates had six and three, respectively. Lauta made two saves while earning his fourth solo shutout of the season and fifth overall. Bates' Bruce David stopped three shots.
The Jumbos are now 7-0-1 and 3-0-1 in NESCAC play and will face Hamilton College in more NESCAC action on Sunday at 3 PM. Meanwhile, Bates is 5-3 and 2-2 in conference and will play Trinity on Sunday.
Written by Isaac Karp, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
