Jumbos Ward Off Salem State in 2-1 Win

MEDFORD, MA (September 18, 2024) - The Tufts University men's soccer team demonstrated a complete performance by beating the Salem State University Vikings by a score of 2-1 at Bello Field on Wednesday evening.

The Jumbos (4-0-1) began the game by holding the overwhelming majority of possession. It took them just over a minute to wrestle the ball away from the Vikings (3-1-2) and march downfield. Graduate student Max Clivio traveled from his defensive position into the opposing penalty area and hammered the first shot of a game just over the crossbar. He would go on to attempt five shots over the course of 90 minutes, good for a team high. The tone was set, and the Jumbos were off with a surge of energy.

Sophomore Ethan Jett was also dynamic as ever, making the Viking defense sweat as he used his speed to drive down the right wing. Jett was able to cross the ball into the box a few times, and even cut in for a shot that trickled just wide of the Salem goal.

The Jumbos maintained their high press, and in the thirteenth minute they won a corner kick. Junior Daniel Yanez delivered a lovely inswinging cross, which heralded chaos in the Vikings' penalty area. The ball bounced around each side's feet before senior and Salem, Mass. native Owen Denby nudged the ball to a wide open sophomore, Bijan Ahktarzandi-Das. Ahktarzandi was presented with a clear shooting lane, and laced the ball into the back of the net. Jumbos now led by a goal.

Salem was embracing the continued pressure from Tufts, as even after the goal the Jumbos worked to contain their opponent in their own end. Transition was the only option for the Vikings, and transition they did. In the closing minutes of the first half they won the ball in their own end, found and outlet, and seamlessly transitioned into the Tufts end. A sharp cross from senior midfielder Aaron O'Toole found junior Johnathan Diaz wide open in the Jumbos area, and he slipped the ball past junior goalkeeper Nikola Antic to tie the game at one.

The Jumbos, despite conceding their first goal of the season, were largely unphased, and hit halftime with the ball at their feet.

The second half would see Tufts continue their stranglehold of possession. Salem was barely able to leave their side as the Jumbos continued to push deep into the Vikings' end. The Jumbos attempted 10 shots in the second half, while the Vikings mustered four. Antic was tested again midway through the second half, having to make a diving save on a curling Viking shot. 

Tufts would finally break the stalemate in the 53rd minute. Senior Taylor Feinberg floated a threatening ball into the Salem penalty area, forcing the goalkeeper Erik Berg off of his line, where he punched the ball towards the eagerly awaiting feet of graduate student Liam Gerken. Gerken rifled the ball towards the far post, but a Viking got in the way of it, deflecting the ball to the near post past the outstretched arms of Berg. 

The Jumbos took the lead and did not look back. They continued to fight for a third goal, but Berg was able to parry the attempts sent his way. The final whistle sounded, and the Jumbos were victorious, continuing their unbeaten streak and extending it to five games, their longest such streak since Sept. 19 through Oct. 15 of the 2023 season.

Tufts will head out to Clinton, New York for a NESCAC match against Hamilton College on Saturday, September 21 as they look to build off of a successful midweek matchup.