MEDFORD, MA (November 14, 2025) -- The No. 1 Tufts University men's soccer team, coming off its fourth all-time New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) title Sunday afternoon, will take on Penn State Harrisburg this upcoming Saturday at Brandeis University in the 2025 NCAA Division III First Round. Host Brandeis and Stevens will battle in the second First Round game, while the winners will play at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Game Details
Tournament Schedule:
NCAA Opening Rounds Tournament Homepage
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Tufts University (14-1-3) vs. Penn State Harrisburg (11-6-3) - 11 a.m.
Brandeis University (9-3-5) vs. Stevens (9-3-6) - 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Remaining Two Teams - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Waltham, Mass. –
Gordon Field -
Directions
Weather: Sunny, Low 40s, Chance of Rain: 0%, Wind: W 10-15 MPH
Live Coverage:
LIVE STATS –
LIVE VIDEO
Against The Field All-Time
The Jumbos and Penn State Harrisburg will meet for the first time on the soccer pitch on Saturday afternoon, but Tufts is familiar with the other two schools that are playing in the other opening round game. Tufts has played Brandeis 42 times since 1954, as the Jumbos hold a slight 23-17-2 edge over the Judges. Tufts has won the last three matches, including a 4-0 win in 2021, but Brandeis eliminated Tufts in the 2017 NCAA Elite 8 with a 1-0 win. Tufts has played Stevens twice since 2018, going 1-0-1 with both meetings happening in the NCAA Tournament. In the 2021 meeting in the NCAA Second Round, Tufts eliminated the Ducks with an 11-10 PK shootout win that went 13 rounds.
Weekend Preview
The Tufts University men's soccer squad comes into the weekend looking for its fifth all-time national title.
The Jumbos enter the national bracket with immense momentum, fresh off a thrilling run that culminated in a 1-0 victory over Connecticut College to claim the program's fourth New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) title. As the No. 1 seed overall, Tufts is favored in this opening regional, though the match will be played at nearby Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.
The foundation of Tufts' historic success this season lies squarely with its defense, which ranks among the nation's elite. The Jumbos have been nearly impenetrable, conceding a meager 9 total goals across 18 matches for a microscopic 0.50 goals-against average (GAA). The defensive backline has successfully steered the team to 12 total shutouts, showcasing relentless discipline and organization in front of the goal.
Anchoring this dominant unit is goalkeeper Nikola Antic, who has logged the vast majority of minutes and been spectacular in net. The veteran keeper boasts a 14-1-2 record, supported by a 0.52 GAA and 0.795 save percentage, confirming his status as one of the top custodians in the tournament field. His ability to secure clean sheets (nine solo shutouts) has been critical, especially in the tight, low-scoring contests that define postseason soccer.
While the defense steals headlines, the Jumbos' offense has been remarkably efficient and potent, netting 41 goals on the year for a 2.28 goals-per-game average. More striking than the goal tally is the overwhelming nature of their attack, as evidenced by a staggering 305 shots taken this season compared to just 162 by opponents. This superior shot volume (16.9 shots/game) highlights Tufts' ability to control possession and relentlessly pressure opposing defenses.
The creative force behind this high-volume attack flows largely through the midfield, where the Jumbos rely on dynamic distribution and movement. Xavier Canfin leads the team in total points with 14, thanks to a team-high 6 assists to go along with 4 goals. Not far behind is Henry Perkins, who has contributed 13 points (4 goals, 5 assists), ensuring that the attack is diverse and capable of breaking down defenses from multiple angles.
The finishing touch often belongs to Henry Brown, who leads the Jumbos with 5 goals on the season, establishing himself as a reliable target man. The team also benefits from the clutch gene of Daniel Yanez, whose 4 game-winning goals are a team-high and prove his ability to deliver in crucial moments. Furthermore, the Jumbos' composure in high-pressure situations is evident in their penalty kick prowess, converting 9 of 10 attempts this season.
Tufts had five All-NESCAC with four First Team honorees, led by goalkeeper Nikola Antic and Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das on the defensive side of the ball.
The Judges were nationally-ranked by the United Soccer Coaches for much of the season. They entered the rankings at #18 after getting off to a 7-0-2 start, and were as high as #5 after a 0-0 draw with Case Western Reserve moved their record to 9-1-4 before finishing with a 9-3-5 mark. The Judges have played seven games against other NCAA tournament teams, posting a 3-2-2 record. They defeated Babson, Bridgewater State and Wesleyan, tied Wheaton (Mass.) and Emory, and lost to Washington U. and Chicago. Four of Brandeis's nine wins and two ties came when their opponents scored the first goal of the game.
Brandeis has featured a balanced scoring attack this season, with 12 different players scoring goals. Senior Nico Beninda led the team with five goals and two assists for 12 points, while classmate Rainer Osselmann-Chai had four goals and three assists for 11 points. Senior Tyler Correnti started 16 of 17 games in goal and finished with 44 saves and a 1.20 goals-against average.
The Judges will be making their 16th all-time appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament, but first since 2017. Brandeis has been to the Final Four five times in their history, winning a title in 1976, finishing second in 1984 and third in 1981. They went to back-to-back Final Fours in 2016 and 2017, the latter season being Gabe Margolis's first as head coach after 11 years as an assistant under legendary head coach Michael Coven.
Stevens captured its fifth consecutive MAC Freedom crown with a 1-0 victory over Lebanon Valley College in the championship match. Senior Ryan O'Byrne broke a scoreless deadlock in the 84th minute, firing from outside the 18-yard box to beat a diving goalkeeper. O'Byrne was also instrumental in the MAC Freedom Semifinal win over Misericordia, scoring once alongside Sam Gjokaj and Emerson Kekesi.
Senior Ethan Hagen was named MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Year, one of eight Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer student-athletes named All-Conference on Thursday, as revealed by the league office as part of its annual year-end awards announcement. Hagen was joined on the first team by forward Matthew Murillo, midfielders Brian Babovic & Emerson Kekesi, and goalkeeper Sebastian Montoulieu. Defender Martin Fields was named to the Second Team while forward Lucas Mendes and defender Thomas Smith earned Honorable Mention status.
Eight Penn State Harrisburg men's soccer players have earned United East All-Conference recognition for their efforts during the 2025 season.
Aidan McWilliams was named to the United East All-Conference First Team, while Liam Gohn, Byron Hines, Cole Isaacs, Colin O'Hara and Addis Tafese earned second-team all-conference honors. Andres Cantillo and William Kim secured all-conference third-team plaudits.
McWilliams made his final collegiate season a memorable one, appearing in all 20 games and anchoring a back line that secured nine shutouts on the year. The Newnan, Ga. native also recorded nine total points this fall thanks to a pair of goals and five assists. Gohn was the team's leading scorer this season, finding the back of the net nine times. The Spring Grove, Pa. native added one helper to tally 19 total points, with one of his markers proving a game-winning score.
Hines held down the center back position for a defensive unit that secured nine shutouts this fall and limited opponents to just 20 goals. The Dallas, Texas native scored the game-winning marker in a postseason victory over Cairn and he was named the United East Championship Tournament most valuable player. Isaacs was another key contributor to a defensive group responsible for nine clean sheets and just a single goal allowed per game average. The Weddington, N.C. native also recorded six points on the year behind one goal and four helpers.
O'Hara continued in his role as one of the team's offensive catalysts, scoring a pair of goals and adding three assists to tally seven total points. The Warrington, Pa. native netted the game-winning marker in a mid-season win over Cairn. Tafese emerged as one of the team's top offensive threats this season, racking up 17 total points thanks to eight markers, including a team-best two game-winning goals, and one assist. The Ethiopia native's most-recent game winner came in a United East Championship Game victory over Penn College.
Cantillo burst onto the scene during his rookie campaign, tallying 11 total points as a freshman. The Staten Island, N.Y. native appeared in all 20 contests this fall, netting four goals on the season and adding three assists. Kim proved one of the team's most consistent midfielders during his sophomore season. The Seoul, South Korea native netted one goal and added a helper to tally three total points, while also contributing defensively to a unit that recorded nine shutouts on the fall.
--JUMBOS--
