MEDFORD, MA (November 9, 2025) -- The Tufts University men's soccer team claimed its fourth New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) title Sunday afternoon, getting a late score to knock off No. 7 and fifth-seed Connecticut College 1-0 in the title game on Bello Field Sunday afternoon.
With the victory, the Jumbos (14-1-3) earned the conference's automatic qualifying bid into the 2025 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament, which starts next weekend. The NCAA Selection Show is Monday, November 10 at 11:30 a.m., where the Jumbos will find out their tournament location, opponents and times.
The game-winner came in the 82nd minute for the Jumbos thanks to a hard-working, hustle play from junior forward
Xavier Canfin. The striker lost the ball on the right wing but stayed up in the zone as the Camels (10-3-5) played the ball in the back. An unsuspecting CC player would play negative to his goalkeeper, but Canfin hustled to get to the ball and the clearing attempt by the Camels keeper would kick back off Canfin's leg into the net for the only score of the game.
The goal was against the run of play though, as Connecticut College had possessed for the majority of the second half, outshooting Tufts 12-2 in the second frame.
Tufts nearly took the lead in the 26th minute as a glancing header by junior
Henry Brown bounced off the right post and was cleared away. While that was the best chance of the first period for Tufts, the Camels almost took the lead in the 12th minute on a shot by Matt Quiros-Newton that whizzed past the right post. Those were the best looks at goal in the first half that ended scoreless with just seven attempts combined.
In the second half, Tufts had a few decent looks but the best chances were from the visitor as Marco Perugini had a shot on the near post pushed away from Tufts keeper
Nikola Antic.
Conn. College would continue to push, but only two of their shots would need saving by Antic before the Jumbos jumped out in front. Following the goal from the hosts, Connecticut College had a great chance as a header by Kevin Hwong hit the crossbar and deflected over the bar. That would be the final attempt to threaten the Jumbos, as Tufts held strong for their fourth title since 2017.
Antic finished with four saves to earn his 10th shutout of the season, tying for third on the single-season clean sheet list with Erik Lauta in 2021. He also now has 24 shutouts in his career, second all-time with the Jumbos.
The score for Canfin was his fourth of the season and first since scoring against Amherst back on October 14. Conn. College posted a 15-6 edge in shot attempts, though just a 4-3 edge in shots on goal. CC had six of the 10 corner kicks, while the two teams combined for 29 fouls.
The title was the second for head coach
Kyle Dezotell, as the Jumbos also earned the NESCAC crown in 2021.
--JUMBOS--
