OWINGS MILLS, MD (March 15, 2024) -- No. 3 Tufts University trailed 6-5 to Hamilton College after the opening period at the 2024 Mustang Classic, but the Jumbos turned it on midway through the third quarter to pull away for a 19-12 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) victory in play from Mustang Stadium on the campus of Stevenson University.
The Jumbos (4-0, 3-0 NESCAC) were deadlocked with Hamilton with 4:33 to play in the period after a goal from Frank Coyle to make it 9-9. Less than a minute later, Tufts' sophomore
Brooks Hauser tallied with help from
Jack Regnery to start a 7-0 run which including four scores over a 1:40 stretch capped by an unassisted tally from
Parker Merril.
The run continued into the fourth quarter as
Charlie Tagliaferri netted his ninth of the season and fifth of the game, as a
Joey Kraft goal made it 16-9 with 11:17 to go in regulation. Hauser scored with the extra man followed closely by a
Garrett Kelly strike to give the Jumbos their largest lead at 18-10. First-year
Jackson Redd capped the scoring for Tufts to help secure the seven-goal win.
Hamilton (2-2, 1-2 NESCAC) came out fast though in the first quarter, taking advantage of their chances as they led for the majority of the opening stanza. After the Continentals took a 6-5 edge into the second quarter, Tufts outscored their NESCAC foes 4-0 in the second period to take a 9-6 lead into the break.
Hamilton was able to stay in the game thanks to outstanding play in goal from Jack Fried, who made 22 saves on the night including 19 through the first three quarters. Fried's heroics helped Hamilton rally to tie the game at nine, but in the end Tufts' quick-strike attack was too much.
Hauser finished with a career-high six points in the victory for the Jumbos, as he finished with three goals, three assists and three ground balls in addition to his 10 shots. Sophomore
Jack Regnery continued to rack up the points, tallying five points on two goals and a career-high three helpers, and Tagliaferri posted a season-high five goals on eight shot attempts.
Junior
Max Ettinghausen posted two goals and two assists for four points, and Kelly contributed two goals as well. Merril was outstanding at the "X" as he went 13-of-18 on face-offs while picking up a team-best 10 ground balls.
Michael Ayers led the defense with four ground balls and a caused turnover, and
Cam Delcristo finished with two caused turnovers, a goal and three loose ball pickups.
Ben Frisoli caused two turnovers in addition to his three ground balls, and
Joey Waldbaum also forced two mistakes while adding three ground balls.
Senior Connor Garzone made 14 stops between the pipes for the Jumbos, as Tufts doubled up Hamilton in the turnover department, 26-13. Tufts also forced Hamilton into nine unsuccessful clear attempts, while outshooting the Continentals 67-44. The Jumbos were 2-for-4 on the EMO as well.
Frank Coyle led Hamilton with three goals on the day, while Jesse Delinsky and Will Heher each tallied three points in the loss. Jake Mair also forced two turnovers and picked up two ground balls.
Tufts will return to action on Saturday afternoon at 5:45 p.m. for a big non-conference tussle at the Mustang Classic, taking on No. 2 RIT in the ninth of 10 games inside Mustang Stadium this weekend.
--JUMBOS--
