MEDFORD, MA (March 30, 2024) -- The No. 4 Tufts University men's lacrosse used a critical 7-3 edge in the second quarter Saturday, coming from behind to knock off visiting Colby College 17-13 on a chilly, sunny day from Bello Field in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) action.
The comeback from the Jumbos (7-1, 4-0 NESCAC) came in response of a strong start for Colby, as the Mules 4-3 after the opening period as Gavin Rothenberg scored three of the visitors goals in the frame. The lead would increase to 5-3 early on in the second quarter, but Tufts rallied back to take their first lead of the game at 9:26 of the period on an unassisted strike from
Cam Delcristo, his fourth of the season. Rothenberg would net back-to-back goals ot put the Mules back in front 7-6, but the final seven minutes would be all Jumbos as a 4-0 run put Tufts up 10-7 at the break.
The momentum continued into the third quarter for Tufts, as Hauser scored his third of the game off a feed from
Kevin Christmas to finish a 5-0 run that ended with Tufts up 11-7. After the Mules netted their first goal of the half at 9:44 to make it 11-8, Tufts finished the frame on a 4-1 spurt highlighted by goals from both
Ben Frisoli and
Sam Frisoli. Tufts' edge would swell up to as much as seven at 16-9 with 14:20 remaining on a
Max Ettinghausen man-up goal, and a
Garrett Kelly tally finished the scoring for Tufts in the victory.
Regnery continued his strong play of late, as the sophomore followed his career-high game in points against Union College Tuesday with eight more points Saturday. Regnery finished with four goals and a career-best four assists, adding a career-high 21 shots along with two ground balls. The 21 shots by Regnery are the most by a Jumbo player since Kevin McCormick fired 21 against Connecticut College March 13, 2012.
Ettinghausen had a strong game as well for the Jumbos, posting four goals and two assists, as his six points tied for a career-high. Ettinghausen also tallied three ground balls. Hauser netted a hat trick offensively, and Kelly also posted two goals on seven shots. Tufts outshot their visitors 70-35 for the game, and also earned a 20-for-33 edge on face-offs Saturday. Draw partners
Victor Salcedo and
Parker Merril were both strong, as Salcedo was 10-for-17 with four loose balls, while Merril was 10-for-16 with seven grounders.
The defense saw
Joey Waldbaum and
Ben Frisoli each post two caused turnovers, and
Michael Ayers tallied three grounders and a caused turnover. Tufts won the ground ball total 40-36 on Saturday, and forced the Mules into seven failed clears on 25 attempts. Connor Garzone made 11 shots while playing all 60 minutes for the Jumbos.
Colby was paced by the five goals and two assists by Rothenberg, while Bennett Goller tallied five assists on the afternoon for the Mules. Cormac O'Neill also registered two goals and two assists, and Doug McCarthy added three goals and three ground balls. Will Heisler made 17 stops for Colby (4-4, 1-4 NESCAC) Saturday.
Tufts will be back out on the road on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. for more NESCAC play, as the Jumbos head west to battle Williams College in Williamstown, MA.
--JUMBOS--
