MALDEN, MA (November 14, 2025) – Four different Jumbos scored goals and senior netminder Gus Bylin stopped 31 of the 32 shots he faced as the Tufts University hockey team opened its 2025-26 season with a 4-1 victory against Wesleyan University at Valley Forum on Friday night.
The Jumbos got started with a dart on the power play by junior
Jonathan Horn late in the first period. Sophomore defenseman
Drew Pitts fed Horn in the right faceoff circle for a one-timer at 17:22. Junior
Ethan Ullrick, the Air Force transfer, had the secondary assist and would finish the night with two helpers.
Tufts increased its lead in the middle of the second period. Junior
Trace Norwell positioned himself in the high slot, took a pass from sophomore defenseman
Jameson Klein and one-timed a shot past Wesleyan goalie Patrick McDevitt at 8:16 of the middle frame.
Meanwhile, Bylin saved all of the 22 shots that the Cardinals put on net in the first two frames. Wesleyan's Hayden Hanes hit a post during the second period as the Cardinals had stretches of strong possession leading to a 12-7 shots advantage in the second.
However, Tufts would get the important next goal at 4:21 of the third. After senior
Brendan Fennell fetched the puck out of the right corner, he sent it out to Pitts near the right point. Pitts fired a shot towards the goal that was deflected in by senior
Max Resnick and Tufts led 3-0. The assist for Pitts was his second of the game.
Bylin and the Jumbo defense lost the shutout on a Wesleyan power play in the middle of the third. Ethan Davidson got the puck in his own end and charged into the Jumbo zone. He whirled into the left circle and then sent a pass across the slot to Jack Marottolo who put one past Bylin at 10:17 to cut the margin to two.
Tufts would score less than 90 seconds later though. Junior
Sylas Oberting collected the rebound of his own shot and sent it to Ullrick moving in from the left point. Similar to their previous goal, senior
Cole Dubicki was able to tip Ullrick's shot in mid-air past McDevitt for a 4-1 score at 11:38.
McDevitt played well for Wesleyan despite the four goals allowed, stopping 33 shots as Tufts put 37 on goal. Wesleyan finished the game with 32 shots. Both teams were 1 for 4 on the power play.
Tufts continues its opening weekend at home by hosting 14th-ranked Trinity College tomorrow at 4:00 PM. The Cardinals have a 3:00 start at Connecticut College tomorrow.
--JUMBOS--
