2025 Tufts University Men's Soccer Season Preview

MEDFORD, MA (September 1, 2025) - After the second-ever unbeaten season in Tufts University Men's Soccer history was ended in the NCAA Tournament Second Round, the Jumbos have reset and return to Bello Field for the 2025 season.

The Jumbos ended last season with a 12-0-6 record, just the second time in program history that Tufts Men's Soccer has gone an entire campaign without a loss. The past is the past, however, and head coach Kyle Dezotell believes that "there are always areas we can improve upon each season."

"We want to be more dynamic in our attack this year," said Dezotell. "We've added some nice pieces in terms of personnel which will help this process. We have guys who have been here who are ready to step up and produce goals and assists this season."

What caught Dezotell's eye during the preseason proceedings was the squad's "enthusiasm and positivity." With last season's successes now well behind them, the Jumbos skipper has tasked his staff and roster with "really enjoying every single day this season."

"I'm just really excited to have some fun with our group over the next 3+ months," said Dezotell.

The Jumbos hold the number 15 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Division III Preseason Poll, but Coach Dezotell is not allowing that distinction to cloud his team's vision. Tufts will take each game as it comes, week by week, day by day. "I fully expect that if we strive to go 1-0 each day and remain positive and enjoy this season that we will end up exactly where we want to be in a few months time, fighting for every trophy available to us."

Tufts will benefit from the plentiful amenities available to them in Medford this season as they play nine games at home on Bello Field compared to just six scheduled road matches. Their conference slate will be a tough test to start, with the first weekend of NESCAC action seeing the Jumbos square off against the number 10 Williams Ephs. Their non-conference slate will feature a number of talented local squads, including a road game at Babson and Senior Day hosting Emerson.

While the Jumbos graduated some key leaders in important positions, the depth from last year's roster still remains and the reinforcements of transfers and first years will bolster what was one of the deepest teams in the NCAA last season. 

"We envision 2-3 first year players will make impacts right from the start and we have been pleased with all of them throughout preseason," said Dezotell. "We recruited a really good class that will benefit us for years to come."

A key area of focus in preseason preparations for Dezotell, the Jumbos' attacking corps saw veteran leaders Mikey Brady and Ben Verner graduate, making it the dawn of a new vanguard amidst the Tufts offense.

Both Henry Perkins and Mason Shultz return for their senior seasons, with the former being named captain ahead of the fall. Perkins was a human defibrillator off the bench last season, providing a life-saving spark to the offense in many dire situations. His signature moment of last year's campaign was a dramatic game-winning goal at Amherst to secure a 1-0 win over the Mammoths. Two goals at Hamilton and another in the season finale versus Bowdoin saw Perkins finish his campaign with four goals, setting him up for an increased load at the tip of the spear this season. Shultz was also an important part of the depth to last year's forward corps, and will see an increase in his minutes following his one goal-one assist campaign the season prior.

Xavier Canfin is back for his junior season after bursting onto the scene with an All-NESCAC Second Team nod. He led the Jumbos in goals scored last year with five, including a game-winning goal at Williams. His speed will play a huge role in driving the Jumbos deep into the attacking third.
 
Two newcomers join the Tufts attackers, with first year Ben Ortman and transfer Henry Brown embarking on their College Ave journeys. Ortman was a 5A Colorado State Conference and All-Conference striker with strength and speed at his disposal. Brown joins the Jumbos after two seasons with St. Lawrence. During his time with the Saints, Brown earned the 2023 Liberty League Rookie of the Year Award and the 2024 Liberty League Player of the Year Award. 

"Our two transfers should both make immediate impacts in Henry Brown from St Lawrence, who has a nose for goal and a relentless work ethic, and William Cornog joins us from Portland - one of the top NCAA DI programs in the country. We expect Will to add tremendously to our already talented midfield group."

"Already talented midfield group" is perhaps understating the quality the Jumbos possess in the center of the pitch. Despite the graduation of fifth-year captain and steady center midfielder Liam Gerken, Tufts may be even better in the center third. 

Ben Pensky and Daniel Yanez were both named as captains ahead of the fall season, and both will feature in the midfield for the senior seasons. Yanez was a smooth-footed playmaker in an attacking-midfield role last year, seeing him net a goal and assist four others. Pensky was an important piece of the midfield depth last year, and will likely see his role increase in minutes this fall. 

Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das was stellar as a defensive-midfielder last season and returns for his junior year this fall. The previous campaign saw him play as a hard-hitting midfielder with a defensive focus, but his prowess on the ball and nose for goal were apparent as well. He potted three goals last year, indicating more to come this fall. 

"We're pleased to get Ellis Denby back this year after his first season was cut short after just three games last season due to an injury," said Dezotell. "Ellis has four years of eligibility remaining so he's just getting started but we expect Ellis to have a great season for us."

Gianluca Fallone is the lone rookie to join the midfield corps, arriving on College Ave after receiving two invites to U.S. Soccer Regional Youth National Team Training Centers with the Rochester NY FC MLS Next.

With all the talent in the midfield and attacking corps, it should come as no surprise that the defensive side of the ball is just as strong for the Jumbos. Graduate student defensive captain Max Clivio may have graduated, but captain Taylor Feinberg is back for a fifth year with plenty of quality around him. 

Juniors James Gunn and Mateo Bargagna each return for their junior seasons. "Gunn and Bargagna are two guys who don't necessarily fill the stat-sheet because of their positions but they are often our best players so we're hoping they can stay healthy and consistent," said Dezotell.

In addition to the returning veteran core of the defense, the Jumbos back line sees the most help in incoming reinforcements. Four rookies join the Tufts defense to assist in maintaining what was one of the stingiest defenses in the NESCAC last year. Davis Novak, Hastings Brislin, Alex Johnson and Hayden Jones all join the Jumbos back line for their debut campaigns in the blue and brown.

Behind it all, the three goalkeepers from last year return with Nik Antic and Sammy Kao back for their senior years and Zac Ubamadu returning for his junior season. Joining the goalkeeping group is first year David Marotta. 

Antic will likely play the lion's share of minutes between the posts for Tufts this year, with his head coach leveling praise for the netminder ahead of the fall. "We expect what we always get from Nik, who is a really good, incredibly steady goalkeeper who never beats himself and provides the quality and experience required in that position. The guys in front have every bit of confidence that Nik will back them up when he is called upon."

With the scene set and the slate fully fleshed out, there is nothing left for the Jumbos to do but set forth on their 2025 season. They will kick off the campaign at home on Wednesday as they play host to MIT at 7:00 pm on Bello Field.