NEW LONDON, CT (April 8, 2023) -- The No. 2 Tufts University men's lacrosse team got three straight goals late in the fourth quarter, including the eventual game-winner from
Michael Ayers to come from behind for a 15-14 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) victory over Connecticut College in play from Silfen Field Saturday afternoon.
In a see-saw battle, the two teams exchanged goals over the first seven minutes of the contest until
Ben Frisoli netted a goal from
Tommy Swank to give the Jumbos their first lead at 3-2. Bobby Chang scored with the extra-man to tie the game up, but
Charlie Tagliaferri started a quick 3-0 run over 53 seconds for Tufts to make it 6-3 with 3:08 left in the first quarter.
The Jumbos would extend their lead up to as much as four at 8-4 on a goal by first-year
Jack Regnery with 5:19 to play in the first half, but Jack Tenzer netted his first of the day to make it 8-5 at the halftime intermission.
The Camels (4-5, 2-4 NESCAC) came out of the halftime break ready to roll, as they tallied the first five goals of the third quarter to push ahead at 10-8 following a goal from JJ Ford with 2:44 to go.
Sam Frisoli stopped the Conn. College run at 2:12 with a goal, and
Jack Boyden netted two goals in six seconds to push the Jumbos back in front with 1:48 to go in the period.
CC would get a goal from Colter Lingelbach-Pierce just before the end of the third frame to tie the game at 11 heading to the fourth quarter. Swank would put the Jumbos on top 64 seconds into the fourth quarter, but the Camels answered back 10 seconds later to make it 12-12. Connecticut College regained a one-goal edge with 7:39 to play in regulation on another Ford goal, but
Kevin Christmas found Regnery exactly a minute later to deadlock the contest at 13.
The Regnery score would start a three-goal run for the Jumbos which ended up being the difference, as
Kurt Bruun set up both Swank and Ayers to put Tufts up two at 15-13. The Camels pulled to within one with 37 seconds to go, but
Mason Kohn won the ensuing face-off and the Jumbos ran out the clock to secure the victory.
Bruun led the squad on Saturday with four assists, adding a goal, while Boyden finished with four goals on eight shots. Regnery posted four points on three scores and an assist, and Swank contributed two goals, four ground balls and an assist. Tagliaferri and Christmas each posted a goal and assist as well for Tufts, which outshot its hosts 64-44.
Kyle Adelmann had a strong game defensively with three caused turnovers and four ground balls, while
George Panagopoulos added a pair of forced giveaways. Kohn continued his standout play at the face-off "X," as he won 14 of 22 draws to lead the team with nine loose bals.
Victor Salcedo also picked up five ground balls, and Connor Garzone made 10 stops between the pipes for the Jumbos.
The Camels got five points by Jared Rainville, who dished out four assists while scoring a tally of his own. Tenzer led CC with four goals, and Patrick Atkins finished with four points on two goals and two assists. Will Rice was strong in net for Connecticut College, making 23 saves.
Tufts has now won 12 straight NESCAC games dating back to 2022, and clinched a NESCAC Tournament bid with its win on Saturday.
The Jumbos will be back in action on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m., playing host to Bates College April 12 on Bellow Field in conference play.
--JUMBOS--
