No. 2 Jumbos Finish Regular Season Unbeaten, First in NESCAC

MEDFORD, MA (October 29, 2024) - The number two ranked Tufts University men's soccer team played in a back and forth New England Small College Athletic Conference match to conclude the regular season, ultimately drawing with the Bowdoin College Polar Bears 2-2 at Bello Field on Tuesday evening.

The Jumbos (11-0-4, 7-0-3 NESCAC) started off the game with a high tempo. The Polar Bears (7-4-4, 2-4-4 NESCAC) matched the Jumbos fast pace from the get go. The bulk of the play at the start of the half was in the midfield, as each team wrestled for possession. Sophomore Ethan Jett would notch the first shot for the home side, having his drive effort blocked by a defender in the penalty area.

The Jumbos offense was taking their chances as they came, firing off shots when even the slightest crack was shown in the Polar Bears defense. They attempted six shots in the opening half, however none of them would force a save out of the Bowdoin goalkeeper, Alex Ainsworth. 

The Jumbos defense, meanwhile, was keeping the visitors pinned in their own end. They did not allow a single shot through the first 45 minutes, as graduate student Max Clivio commanded the back line from the center back position. Junior Mateo Bargagna was excellent at right back, contributing not only on defense but with his long throw-ins as well. Senior Taylor Feinberg was rock-solid at center back, but proved his dual-threat ability by firing off a pair of shots. 

Neither team would score in the opening frame, and the final half of the regular season would decide the outcome of the game. The Polar Bears came out of the gates with speed in the second half, forcing a save out of junior goalkeeper Nikola Antic in the 49th minute. The Polar Bears used effective counter attacking to get in behind the Tufts defense. Antic would make another save in the 62nd minute, but the rebound fell right at the feet of Polar Bear forward Mateo Pacelli, who quickly gave Bowdoin a 1-0 lead.

The Jumbos were quick to respond with effective offense, undeterred by the visitor's opening score. Junior forward Henry Perkins would cement the response by finishing a chaotic sequence with a powerful shot into the bottom left corner. Liam Gerken fired a driven effort towards goal that deflected off of a lunging defender, which Perkins fired off the fingertips of Ainsworth, tying the score at one goal apiece. 

The job was clearly not yet finished for the Jumbos, as they continued to press against the Polar Bears defense. Freshman Will Nicholas continued a good possession by crossing the ball into the Bowdoin penalty area. Sophomore Ethan Jett made a run through the Polar Bears defense, and headed the Nicholas cross past Ainsworth to give the Jumbos a 2-1 lead. A fantastic time to score his first goal as a Jumbo. 

The Polar Bears in turn increased their pressure on offense. They fought for possession in their attacking half, but the home side's defense held on. The visitor's pressure was rewarded with a corner kick in the 88th minute, which was taken by Ronaldo Cabral. Cabral delivered a driven inswinger, which found the head of Luke Macaione. Macaione put a powerful header into the top left of the goal, past a leaping Antic to even the score at 2-2. The Jumbos had little time to break the deadlock, and would end up with a draw at full time.

The draw was enough to secure the top seed in the NESCAC playoffs as the Jumbos finished at the top of the league table for the first time since 2018. Tufts also finishes the regular season with a record of 11-0-4, the best record under head coach Kyle Dezotell, and the best for men's soccer since 2018.

The Jumbos will host a NESCAC Quarterfinal game on Saturday at Bello Field at a time to be determined.