Men's Soccer Draws with Bowdoin in Quarterfinal, Fall in PKs 4-3

MEDFORD, MA (November 2, 2024) - The Tufts University men's soccer team was eliminated from the New England Small College Athletic Conference Tournament, suffering a defeat in penalties 4-3 following a 1-1 draw in extra time and regulation at Bello Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Jumbos (11-0-5, 7-0-4 NESCAC) were fresh off their regular season conclusion versus Bowdoin (7-4-5, 2-4-5 NESCAC) on October 29, a hard fought 2-2 draw that saw the Polar Bears even the score in the 88th minute. This match picked up right where the previous one left off, with neither team skipping a beat from the starting whistle. The visitors were fast, using their speed as the primary weapon of attack. Tufts was ready for it, and the defense, led by graduate student Max Clivio and senior Taylor Feinberg, was excellent at repelling the Bowdoin advances. Both center backs would see 110 minutes of play by the conclusion of the quarterfinal. The Polar Bears had only four shots on goal out of 14 attempts in the opening frame, while the Jumbos put seven on target across 14 attempts. Junior Nikola Antic was perfect in the first half making four saves, including a difficult stop on a low-driven shot towards the bottom right corner. 

The defense held on through the opening minutes, while the offense chipped away at a solid Bowdoin defense. The Polar Bears managed to put up some lengthy possessions in the later minutes of the half, and the Jumbos were on their back foot in the 43rd minute. Tyler Huck floated a cross into the box, and Adam Prince rose above the pack to get a glancing header off towards goal. His header had enough loft to fly over Antic's outstretched arm, and found the top left corner of the goal. The eighth-seeded Polar Bears had taken a 1-0 lead over the top seeded Jumbos.

The second half opened with intensity, as each team sought to score to either extend their lead or tie the game. The Jumbos would be the ones to score first in the second half, and did so thanks to a Mikey Brady shot from point blank. The graduate student forward was deep in the Bowdoin end thanks to a throw-in won deep in the attacking third. Junior Mateo Bargagna delivered his signature long throw-in, which was flicked on by Feinberg. The ball continued to Brady, who scrambled to fire off a shot, which he did with enough power to bounce off Alex Ainsworth, the Bowdoin goalkeeper, and fell into the side netting to tie it in the 48th minute.

The match was tied, but far from over. The pace increased as the Polar Bears continued to use their speed to counter-attack the Jumbos. Junior Mason Shultz had a strong game at forward, putting up three shots, and setting a physical tone for the offense. Shultz was also solid defensively, defusing a few Bowdoin chances before they truly developed through sheer tenacity in chasing the ball around the visiting defense. Neither team would be able to score again, although the Polar Bears would come close. Mateo Pacelli hit the crossbar with a ranged effort that had the power to leave the frame of the goal shaking for a few seconds after it was deflected. Despite the close call, regular time would end with both teams tied.

The first period of overtime was frenetic, as fatigue began to seep into both sides' rosters. The Jumbos, who had utilized more substitutes throughout regular time, were the side that came closest to scoring in the first extra time period. The two Tufts center backs clamored for a goal, first with Feinberg firing a shot that was barely palmed away by Ainsworth. Then Clivio hammered a header towards goal, which actually beat Ainsworth, but not the crossbar. His shot went off the bar and directly into the secure hands of Ainsworth. The first 10 minute overtime period saw no conclusion drawn from 100 minutes of play, so another 10 minute period was required. 

The second period of extra time was mostly played in the midfield, as each team played a soccer version of tug-of-war, grappling for possession and field position for the entire 10 minute frame. Neither team would fire a shot, let alone score, in the second overtime, and the match officially ended as a draw. Penalty kicks were still required to decide who advanced to the NESCAC semifinal.

Both teams potted their first three penalties, before Ainsworth stuffed sophomore Xavier Canfin. With the result on the line, Antic stepped between the posts. He made a dive to his left, and got a hand to Carlton Steinberg's penalty bid, keeping the hope alive for the Jumbo fans in attendance. Ainsworth made another clutch save in response to Antic's stop, denying Feinberg, and once again giving the Polar Bears the advantage. Keito Ishibashi stepped up to the spot, needing a score to secure the upset. Antic opted to go to his left, and Ishibashi went to his left as well, potting the goal and advancing Bowdoin to the semifinals.

The Jumbos are eliminated from NESCAC Tournament contention, and will await the results of the conference tournaments around Division III to see their competition in the NCAA Tournament.