No. 2 Tufts Shuts Out Husson in 3-0 Win for Perfect Road Record

BANGOR, ME (October 26, 2024) - The number two ranked Tufts University men's soccer team cruised to a 3-0 victory over the Husson University Eagles in the final road game of the regular season on Saturday afternoon at Boucher Field.

The Jumbos (11-0-3) were quick to grab possession of the ball, making sure to keep it away from the Husson (8-6-3) defenders. Their possession was overwhelming, and the few times the Eagles managed to grab the ball, swarming defense made it impossible for the hosts to advance. The Jumbos began peppering the net, firing off eight shots in the first half, with three of them landing on target. 

Senior Owen Denby had a strong showing against the Eagles, making life miserable for the opposing offense as he held down the Tufts back line. He would contribute on offense as well, tallying two shots in the game. Freshman Griffin Bone played well too, as he fired a shot of his own and held down the defense in 20 minutes of play.

Tufts was overwhelming the Eagles defense, as they scored but had it called back after a close offside call. A deflected cross led to a corner kick for the visitors, and graduate student Liam Gerken stepped up to deliver the set piece. Gerken's delivery bounced around in the penalty area before senior Taylor Feinberg collected it, and slid it to a wide open Ben Verner. The senior forward had a clear lane towards goal, and made full use of it as he sniped the top right corner of the net for the first Jumbos goal. 

The Jumbos were off and rolling, as they continued to swallow up any offensive movement from the home side. Their suffocating defense prevented the Eagles from even attempting a shot in the first half, making life very easy for sophomore goalkeeper Zach Ubamadu, who was not called into action in the opening frame.

Tufts would strike again in the 33rd minute, this time taking full advantage of an opportune throw in. Junior defender Mateo Bargagna, known for his long throwing ability, pushed up into the attacking third to take the throw. He delivered a beautiful ball into the box, which was flicked on by Feinberg. Without letting the ball touch the ground, sophomore midfielder Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das continued Feinberg's flick-on, and lifted the ball past the Eagles goalkeeper for the second Jumbos goal of the half.

The halftime break saw the Jumbos comfortably lead by two goals, and it was clear in the second half that they were looking for another. Their pressure on the Husson back line led to them winning a corner kick in the 62nd minute. Gerken delivered the kick once again, and found a leaping junior, James Flagg. Flagg fired a contested volley that bounced past the opposing goalkeeper for the third Jumbos goal, and Flagg's first of the season.

The Jumbos now led by a commanding three goals, and they were able to steer the pace of play for the remainder of the game. The Eagles were finally able to manage a shot in the 72nd minute, but neither of their two attempts landed on target. The Jumbos would reach full time with a resounding 3-0 victory to conclude an 8-0 regular season on the road, the best road record under head coach Kyle Dezotell, and the first time going unbeaten on the road since a 5-0-2 run in 2018.

The Jumbos have a relatively quick turnaround, as they prepare to host the Bowdoin Polar Bears in the final NESCAC regular season and home game of the season on Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM.