CAMBRIDGE, MA (September 4, 2024) -- Graduate student midfielder
Liam Gerken finished a beautiful passing sequence for the Tufts University men's soccer team in the 50th minute, and the Jumbo defense made the score hold up in 1-0 season-opening victory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in non-conference play from Roberts Field Wednesday.
The victory was the fourth straight win over the Engineers to start a season dating back to 2021, while the Jumbos continued their streak of now seven season openers without a defeat.
Tufts controlled the tempo early on in the game's opening minutes, as junior midfielder
Daniel Yanez's attempt in the third minute was stopped by MIT keeper Paolo Mangiafico. MIT would get its footing in the 12th minute, firing the game's next three shots including back-to-back attempts by Shikhar Motuoally that were blocked.
In the 32nd minute, a Tufts' corner kick provided a great chance but junior
Henry Perkins flick off the near-post cross fluttered just wide of the left post. With under eight minutes to play in the first half, a long throw in provided a strong chance in front by a header by first-year
Ellis Denby went just high. That would be the final strong chance of the first half, as the Jumbos took an 8-3 edge in shots into halftime.
After the break, Tufts wasted no time getting on the board thanks to a great passing play from Gerken and Yanez. On the play,
Ethan Jett won the ball back in the attacking third and fed
Mikey Brady on wing. His pass went to Gerken who executed a perfect give-and-go with Yanez, getting on to a perfect through ball to beak Mangiafico low to the keeper's right for the lone goal of the game.
Following the goal, MIT would start to have the run of the play but despite four corner kicks provided only one decent chance as the Jumbo defense held strong. The final best chance of the game came in the 76th minute for MIT, but three shots in a row from the Engineers were blocked away from goal.
For the contest, Tufts held a 17-11 edge in shots on goal while the hosts finished with an 8-5 corner kick advantage. Yanez finished with a game-high four shots including three on goal, while junior
Mateo Bargagna and Brady each had three shots.
Jumbo keeper
Nikola Antic posted five saves for his eighth career shutout, while Mangiafico tallied eight stops in the loss.
Tufts will jump into New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) action this Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., battling Williams College in Williamstown, MA.
--JUMBOS--
