MEDFORD, MA (September 14, 2024) - The Tufts University men's soccer team showed their depth and tenacity as they beat the Colby College Mules by a score of 2-0 at Bello Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Jumbos (3-0) hit the ground running against the Mules (2-2) earning a corner kick just two minutes into the match. Senior Tyler Feinberg notched the first shot of the game with a header off of said corner kick that just barely missed the bottom left corner of the goal, going wide instead.
Strong play through the midfield, highlighted by a dynamic performance by junior
Mateo Bargagna, kept the Mules in their own end for most of the first half. Bargagna led the midfield in what was a very physical affair, using his strength to push his opponents off the ball and handling possession with care. Bargagna would fire off a shot across 55 minutes of play, but his impact was felt greatly on the field.
Hemming the Mules into their own defensive third was a sound strategy for the Jumbos, as they were able to force two corners in the Mules end. It was the second of these two corners that bore fruit for the home side. Junior
Mason Shultz worked the ball into the box off the corner, where
Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das fired a shot towards goal. The Mules managed to get a piece of the sophomore's attempt, but the loft and power behind the shot made it impossible to stop. The Jumbos would use Akhtarzandi-Das' score to maintain momentum going into halftime.
The first half would not end without the Mules having a chance of their own. A threatening cross soared across the Jumbos penalty area, finding an open Colby attacker on the back post. His shot was headed towards the bottom corner of the goal, but junior goalkeeper
Nikola Antic made a stunning save, diving to his left to vacuum up the ball. His save denied the Mules their best chance of the game, and extended Antic's shutout streak to three games.
The Jumbos entered the second half with a very clear intention to score again. While the Mules would manage to earn a pair of corner kicks, that was really the only offense they managed in the second frame. Bargagna was leading the physicality of the match, alongside defender graduate student
Max Clivio. Together they prevented Colby from gaining any momentum, and firmly kept them in their own half.
The offensive pressure was beginning to overwhelm the Mules, as the Jumbo racked up a total of four shots on goal. Eventually, a critical mistake was made by a Colby defender inside of their own penalty area. Colby's Alex Moretti tripped up Akhtarzandi-Das in the box, giving the Jumbos a penalty kick. Junior
Daniel Yanez stepped up to the spot and pounded home the penalty, giving the Jumbos a 2-0 lead.
With very little time remaining, the Jumbos were able to cruise to a 2-0 win at full time over the Mules.
Tufts will be back in action on Bello Field this Sunday, September 15, for a match against the Connecticut College Camels at 3:00.
--JUMBOS--
