MIDDLEBURY, VT (October 21, 2023) -- The Tufts University men's soccer team out-possessed and outshot host and third-ranked Middlebury College Saturday, but the Panthers were able to take advantage of their chances in earning a 3-0 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) victory over the Jumbos in play from from South Street Field.
The Jumbos (9-2-3, 5-2-2 NESCAC) finished with a 15-13 edge in shot attempts, while holding 56% of the possession for the game but Middlebury jumped out quick with two goals in the opening 12:15 of the contest. The first goal for the Panthers came after a corner kick by Tufts, as Middlebury (10-0-4, 6-0-3 NESCAC) won a ball in the box and Tyler Payne tallied off a feed from Gavin Randolph for the 1-0 lead.
Minutes later, Randolph ran onto a through ball from Kyle Nilsson and slotted it home with his left foot to double the Panthers' advantage. In the 21st minute, Tufts had a strong chance to cut the Middlebury lead in half but a
Daniel Yanez shot whizzed wide left. In the 38th minute,
Taylor Feinberg also had an attempt in the box after a corner but his attempt was off target. The Jumbos had nearly 60 percent of the ball in the first half, including earning eight corner kicks.
After halftime, the Middlebury lead grew to three as Jordan Saint-Louis hammered home a penalty kick at the 48:05 mark of the game to finish the scoring. Tufts would outshot its host 10-4 in the second half, but couldn't pull closer as the Panthers held on for the win.
According to the statistics, Tufts had 70 percent of possession in Middlebury's half while earning all 13 corner kicks in the game.
Nikola Antic finished the game with six saves in the contest, while Feinberg and
Ethan Feigin each finished with three shots Saturday.
Saint-Louis took six of the 13 shots for the Panthers Saturday, while Randolph had a goal and assist in the win.
Tufts can still finish anywhere from second in the NESCAC standings to fifth, as Tufts is tied for fourth with Amherst College with 17 points with one game to go. Tufts will take on Bowdoin College Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Brunswick, ME in a vital contest, as Bowdoin is third in the NESCAC with 18 points.
--JUMBOS--
