WALTHAM, MA (November 16, 2025) -- Junior
Henry Brown headed home a rebound off a shot in close from
James Gunn 55 seconds into the second overtime Sunday, lifting the No. 1 ranked Tufts University men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over host Brandeis University in the 2025 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Second Round.
With the victory, the Jumbos (16-1-3) move into the NCAA Third Round for the 10th time in program history and first since 2023. The Jumbos have made it through the first weekend nine times in the last 11 seasons.
Tufts controlled the action on the day, as the official stats have the Jumbos with a 56-44 percent possession edge while 69 percent of Tufts possession was in the Brandeis end.
The Jumbos outshot their hosts 24-7 on the day, and posted a big 9-2 advantage in shots on target, but none would find the back of the net in regulation.
In the early going though, Brandeis (10-4-5) had the better of the play in the opening 11 minutes, as senior keeper
Nikola Antic was forced to make a save on a left-footed shot from just outside the box by Rainer Osselmann-Chai.
Tufts would come right back after that point, and started to take control as Brown had a strong opportunity in the 23rd minute but his right-footed shot was stopped by Tyler Correnti. That was the last shot on net for Tufts in the first half, as the Jumbos posted a 9-4 edge in the opening 45 minutes in shots.
In the second, the Jumbos started to push the tempo and had great chance after great chance. In the 62nd minute,
Ben Brown had a header shot that looked destined for the top corner but his attempt was pushed over the bar.
Moments later, junior
Xavier Canfin was put through on goal alone by his shot attempt at the legs of Correnti was stopped to keep the game scoreless. With just over 10 minutes left in the game, Antic lofted a long punt that went nearly 80 yards and
Henry Brown ran onto the ball, made a move to evade the goalkeeper but his shot went just feet wide of the left post.
Those would be the best chances until the eventual game-winning goal in double overtime. After a foul on the Judges 20 seconds in the frame, Canfin would loft a long ball into the Brandeis goal box. Senior
Mateo Bargagna headed the ball down to
James Gunn, who fired a point-blank shot that was saved by Correnti. The rebound would bounce down to a tight angle on the right post, but
Henry Brown was able to get enough on his diving header to squeeze it inside the stick for the golden goal.
Tufts posted an 8-2 edge in corner kicks for the game, as Canfin had a team-high six shots while Bargagna also fired five from his left back spot. Brown also took four shot attempts, while Antic made two stops for his 10th shutout of the season. He becomes only the third goalkeeper at Tufts with 10 or more shutouts in a season, joining Tufts great Scott Greenwood with 12 in 2016 and 11 in 2014 while Erik Lauta had 10 in 2021.
Correnti had eight saves in the loss for the Judges.
The two most successful programs in Division III men's soccer history will now square off in the NCAA Division III Round of 16, as 11-time national champion Messiah University will take on four-time title holder Tufts Saturday at 11 a.m. next weekend at a location to be determined. NESCAC foes Connecticut College and Bowdoin College will square off in the other Sweet 16 tilt.
--JUMBOS--
