MEDFORD, MA (September 24, 2023) – Tufts University men's soccer concluded their weekend doubleheader with a triumphant 3-1 victory over the Trinity College Bantams on Sunday from Trinity Field in Hartford, CT. The Jumbos finished this weekend in form as they increased their current win streak on the year to three following wins against Hamilton College and Salem State University.
The Jumbos showed their strong competitiveness against Trinity College through 90 minutes of intense rain and wind from Hartford, CT as Jumbos senior forward
Sean Traynor, junior forward
Ben Verner, and sophomore midfielder
Ben Pensky, who tallied his first career collegiate goal on the day, showed impressive resiliency throughout the game. Each netted their own contributions to propel the Jumbos forward in their win streak.
Each Tufts goal was tallied from an assist, as sophomore defender
Mateo Bargagna led the opportunities for the Jumbos, tallying two assists on the day. The Jumbos outshot the Bantams 14 to eight (seven to four on target) while producing an additional corner over Trinity's seven.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Nikola Antic was unable to hold the shutout, however, saved three of the four shots he faced, good for a 75% save percentage on the game. The Trinity consolation goal came late in the second half with five minutes remaining, off senior midfielder Quinn Ackman's free-kick strike that split the Jumbos defense and caught Antic by surprise to eliminate the shutout with five minutes remaining.
The game opened with offensive aggressiveness from both sides, but the Jumbos produced a variety of pressure from corner kicks, set pieces, and most dangerously, their transition tactics.
Scoring was initiated with Bargagna's first piece of artistry on the day, as his cross from beyond the 18 yard box on the left wing soared over the Bantam defense to find Pensky all alone in the box who headed it forward into the right side netting to open up scoring for the Jumbos. The goal marks Penksy's first of his career for the Jumbos, as he looks to increase his offensive contributions with the more opportunity he earns.
With two minutes remaining in the first half, sophomore midfielder
Daniel Yanez's free kick from the right wing was sent in with craftsman's precision as it found Bargagna who took a deflection forward that ended at the feet of Verner and finished the opportunity with one touch, ascending the Jumbos lead by two. His goal marks his third of the season, good for six points this season.
The third and final contribution from the Jumbos came from a deadly counterattack that started with Feigin's layoff pass to senior midfielder Liam Gerkin, who sent in a perfectly timed through ball to find the cutting senior forward
Mikey Brady alone behind the Bantam defense. Across from him was Traynor who finished Brady's extra pass with one touch into the bottom right to bring the lead to three.Traynor's tally today, along with Verner, marks his third on the season, paired with his two assists on the year, give him eight points on the season, good for first among the team paired with Feigin's eight.
Following today's win against New England Small College Athletic Conference opponents Trinity College, Tufts University men's soccer improves to 5-1-1 on the year (2-1-1 NESCAC) on a three-game winning streak following consecutive wins against Hamilton College, and Salem State. Trinity College falls to 1-3-2 (0-3-2 NESCAC).
The Tufts University men's soccer team will look to keep the hot streak burning on Wednesday, September 27
th against NESCAC opponents Wesleyan University from Bello Field in Medford, MA at 7:00. For live stat and video coverage, visit
Tufts University - Official Athletics Website (gotuftsjumbos.com).
--JUMBOS—
Written by athletic communications intern David Cataloni
