Jumbos Battle for 1-0 Win Over Continentals

MEDFORD, MA (September 20, 2025) - The Tufts University men's soccer team had to wait on the arrival of the officials before finally launching into a tightly contested New England Small College Athletic Conference match against Hamilton College on Saturday afternoon.

The Jumbos (4-1-1, 1-1-1 NESCAC) began the game under pressure from the Continentals (2-2-2, 0-2-2 NESCAC) as the visitors tried to establish their own tempo on the game. The Hamilton side came out with the toughest physicality that the Jumbos had faced up to this point, and the Jumbos had to work even harder in order to retain possession.

The tempo ramped up after the first shot of the game was recorded by junior Ben Brown, who had his header caught by the opposing goalie. The Jumbos had won the first corner kick of the game as well, and their speed on the wings with Xavier Canfin and Ethan Jett was pushing the Continental defense back into their own end. 

Tufts goalkeeper Nikola Antic was forced into his first save of the game soon after, giving each side a shot on goal in the opening 10 minutes of the match.

As the Jumbos ramped up their tempo, the Continentals responded by ramping up their physicality. The clash of soccer ideologies escalated as the whistle sounded over and over again, with fouls by each team coming left and right. The half ended with no score, but one yellow card issued to Hamilton.

Both sides picked up right where they left off in the second half, with the Jumbos somehow finding an even higher gear as they attempted to break through the stalemate. The Continentals were able to cling on to the 0-0 scorelines through most of the frame, but it was clear the Jumbos were knocking. 

Canfin had a near miss and Brown had another chance on a corner, but the Jumbos would not score until the 79th minute of the tightly contested affair. It was first year Ben Ortman who played a beautiful through ball over the top of the Hamilton defense, releasing senior Ellis Denby to go in on goal. A bouncing ball forced Denby to chip the ball up and over the goalkeeper, sneaking it under the crossbar for the all-too-important opening goal of the game.

With the lead now in hand, the Jumbos focused on defense to see out the result. The desperation set in on the opposing sideline and the Continentals threw everything into their attack. The tight defense did an excellent job throughout the final 10 minutes, allowing only one shot which was quickly stifled by a defensive block in front.

The final whistle sounded and the Jumbos had claimed their first conference win of the season. A great prelude before a quick turnaround before tomorrow's match at Connecticut College.

The Jumbos will head down to New London to play the Camels on Freeman Field at 3:00 pm on Sunday afternoon.