MEDFORD, Mass. (September 27, 2022) -- The Tufts University men's soccer team created chances and defended well for the full 90 minutes against No. 18 Babson College, but neither team could find the breakthrough as the non-conference tilt between local rivals ended in a 0-0 draw in action from Bello Field Tuesday evening.
The draw was the third of the season for the Jumbos (3-2-3), while Babson moved to 5-2-1 with its first tie of the 2022 campaign. Tufts had the run of play in the opening minutes, creating a pair of opportunities with corner kicks but couldn't get a shot off. The Beavers would go on the attack after that, forcing a save from Tufts goalkeeper
Erik Lauta in the 16th minute. Late in the first half Babson had its best chance of the stanza, as a header by Liam Rhatigan was saved off the line by a Jumbo defender.
After the intermission, the game started to open up with the squads combining for 20 second-half shots after only managing seven in a very tactical first half. Tufts had its best scoring opportunity in the 74th minute following a foul right outside the box.
Daniel Yanez stepped up to the free kick and ripped a driven ball to the left side of the wall but a diving save by Walker White kept the game goalless.
The best chance of the contest for the Beavers came with less than 10 minutes to play, as a shot by Ross Shellow was denied by Lauta from right in front of goal off a loose ball scramble. With just under six minutes remaining, Ryan Kim got some space for Babson on the left wing but his shot towards the top right corner was collected by Lauta in what would be the final scoring chance for either team.
The Jumbos were outshot 17-10 for the game, though Tufts earned a decided 10-5 edge in corner kicks.
Mikey Brady led the Jumbos with four shots for the contest, while
Zach Seigelstein and Yanez each had a pair of attempts as well. Lauta played the full 90 minutes between the pipes, making eight saves en route to his second shutout of the season for Tufts.
Mitchell Collins and Samuel Kalishman both fired four shots apiece for the Beavers, and White stopped two shots to record the clean sheet for the visitors.
The Jumbos will return to New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. as they play host to the Mules of Colby College on Bello Field in Medford.
--JUMBOS--
