No. 2 Tufts Faces Westfield State in NCAA First Round

MEDFORD, MA (November 14, 2024) - The number two ranked Tufts University men's soccer team received an at-large berth to the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship tournament on Monday and will now host the first and second round games at Bello Field on Saturday and Sunday. The Jumbos will play in the first match against Westfield State University on Saturday at 5:00 pm, followed up by another first round game between Thomas College (Maine) and Buffalo State University at 7:30 pm.

Game Details
2024 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship Tournament Homepage
Opponent: vs. Westfield State University (9-6-5, 4-1-2 MASCAC)
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Medford, MA – Bello Field
Weather: Clear skies. Low near 40F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of Rain: 0%
Live Coverage: LIVE STATS – LIVE VIDEO

A Look at the Jumbos (11-0-5, 7-0-3 NESCAC)
The Jumbos received news of their at-large bid to the NCAA Championship tournament on Monday, good news for a team that last played in the NESCAC quarterfinals on November 2, when they were just edged out of the tournament by Bowdoin College in penalty kicks. The time off has given one of the most complete teams around a chance to recover after a successful, yet grueling 2024 campaign.

The Jumbos are appearing in their 13th NCAA tournament, and this year marks their 10th consecutive season appearing in the contest. They have won four national championships over that stretch, winning it all in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019. Last year, their tournament hopes were ended in the third round by Washington and Lee University, falling by a score of 1-0.

This week, graduate student Max Clivio was announced as the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year. The team captain commanded the back line with authority, not only limiting opposing offenses to just seven goals against, but also adding a pair of assists on the season as well.

Clivio is joined by fellow All-NESCAC First Team selection and fellow graduate student Liam Gerken. Gerken drove the offense for Tufts this season, scoring four goals and adding eight assists. Gerken's work rate is seemingly limitless, as wherever the ball is on the pitch, Gerken will either be directly involved or nearby, prowling like a cheetah waiting for its opportunity to pounce on its prey.

Taylor Feinberg and Xavier Canfin both earned All-NESCAC Second Team honors, with each player primed for an impactful postseason. Feinberg was Clivio's partner in crime this season, also playing center back and working together with the conference's DPOY to limit opponents to only seven goals in 16 games. 

Canfin had a huge step forward in his development this season. After scoring only one goal last season, he exploded onto the scene this year to lead the Jumbos in goalscoring. His five goals are the most on the team, and is highlighted by a dramatic game winning goal late in the second half at Williams. He also held a goal scoring streak through three games, scoring a goal against Wesleyan, Babson and Trinity College (Conn.).

Head coach Kyle Dezotell and his award winning staff are in search of their first national championship, and the Jumbos are looking for their fifth national title in program history.

A Look at the Owls (9-6-5, 4-1-2 MASCAC)
The Westfield State University Owls are playing in their 10th NCAA Championship tournament for the first time since 2012. They enter the tournament on an automatic bid thanks to winning the MASCAC Championship tournament by defeating Salem State 2-0. 

Westfield State is a team that loves to shoot, leading the MASCAC with 316 shots. They have reaped the benefits of their high shooting volume, scoring 36 goals in 20 games to lead their conference. Senior forward Coleby Andrade leads the team with veteran scoring talent, tallying six goals and three assists. Three Owls have 10 points, Ethan Margolis and Sonny Mazza with three goals and four assists and Nichols Parakilas with five goals. The Owls are a deep team with scoring in many different positions.

Defensively, the Owls have conceded only 13 times this season. Anchored by All-MASCAC First teamer Luke Theroux in goal, the Westfield defense is a stingy group that makes it very difficult for opposing teams to get clear cut scoring chances. Theroux is also a fantastic shot stopper, holding the fourth best goals against average (1.26) and the third best save percentage (.804) in the MASCAC. He has made 74 saves in 16 games. 

A Look at Thomas (Maine) and Buffalo State
Following the Jumbos match against Westfield State, a second match will be played at Bello Field between the Thomas College (Maine) Terriers (13-1-4, 8-0-2 NAC) and the Buffalo State Bengals (15-2-3, 7-1-1 SUNYAC) with a 7:30 pm kickoff. 

The Terriers enter the tournament through an automatic bid, thanks to winning the NAC Championship Tournament by defeating SUNY-Delhi in the championship final 2-0. They are making their seventh appearance in the contest since 2010.

The Terriers score frequently. Their 53 goals scored leads the NAC, with the conference Player of the Year Joshua Joseph leading the charge. His 17 goals and 14 assists put him in a class of his own within the conference, and is the seventh highest scorer in the NCAA. David Ivarsson scores in spades as well, with 12 goals and nine assists, earning him an All-NAC East Division First Team selection. Micky Woodrow and Cody Robinson each have five goals. The Terriers have plenty of scoring options, making them difficult to defend against.

Defensively, the Terriers led their conference as well, conceding 17 goals. Robinson provides solid goalscoring with stout defense as well. The NAC Rookie of the Year Jamie Fischer is an excellent goalkeeper, posting a 1.00 GAA and 0.838 sv% in his first season of college soccer.

The Bengals received an at-large bid to earn a spot in the tournament after elimination in the second round of the SUNYAC Championship tournament. They are making their 10th appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Another high scoring team, the Bengals have scored 53 goals in 20 games this season. Leading the offense is the Huntley Parker Offensive Player of the Year, Diego Rivera who has scored 17 goals and assisted seven times. Manu Prieto is a playmaking specialist, scoring nine goals and adding 17 assists to earn a spot on the All-SUNYAC First Team. Adam Webster also picked up All-SUNYAC honors with nine goals. 

Junior defender Salvador Gomes quarterbacks the defense. The All-SUNYAC First Team defender is backed by All-SUNYAC Third Team goalkeeper Shae Wirt, who has posted a 1.01 GAA and a 0.789 sv%.

The Bengals coaching staff received Coaching Staff of the Year honors for steering their squad to a stellar 15-2-3 record.

Tufts Record Versus Thomas and Buffalo.
No matter which team wins the second game on Saturday, the Jumbos will be playing either the Terriers or the Bengals for the first time in program history.