Tufts Falls to Williams in Conference Opener

MEDFORD, MA (September 6, 2025) - The Tufts University men's soccer team played an elongated match against the Williams Ephs as lightning forced a delay during the first New England Small College Athletic Conference match of the Jumbos' season at Bello Field on Saturday.

Each team began the match with their own styles on display. The Jumbos (1-1-0, 0-1-0 NESCAC) started with their possession-heavy form of football, while the Ephs (1-0-1, 1-0-0 NESCAC) were physical and did their best to wrestle the ball away from Tufts at every opportunity.

The Jumbos had the first shot on goal of the game as junior Xavier Canfin weaved his way into the penalty area. His low-driven shot towards the near post was swallowed up by the Ephs goalkeeper Kai Darrell. 

The match settled in from there as each team sought out scoring chances. The bulk of the play was contained in the midfield as both sides grappled for field position. The Ephs, through their physical play, had picked up a yellow card but also managed to work into the deeper areas of the Jumbos' end. 

It was the freshman JJ Reuhlemann who found some space at the top of the area after Alex Bethancourt crossed the ball into him. A powerful strike with traffic in front of the senior Nikola Antic gave Williams the opening score of the game.

The half ended with the visitors ahead, but the Jumbos edged out the Ephs with 9 shots to the visitor's 8. 

The second half began with the Ephs resuming their physicality, allowing them to win the ball at midfield to a goal-hungry Reuhlemann. The freshman striker wasted no time in firing a ball towards goal from the center circle, which found the back of the net. The Ephs now had a two goal lead.

The Jumbos were in search of their first goal and gaining momentum when the weather turned for the worst, forcing the game into a lightning delay. The delay lasted over two hours, but when play resumed, the Jumbos seemed re-energized.

Despite their fresh demeanor, the Jumbos were unable to score first during the resumption, as Williams' Ben Brown scored off an unassisted effort in front of goal. 

Now down 3-0 with the clock dwindling, the forwards took over the game for Tufts. Canfin, Henry Brown and Ben Ortman each did their best to score from open play, but Brown would be the only one on the scoresheet after netting a penalty-kick in the waning moments of the game. 

The Ephs burned off the rest of the clock and the match was official, Tufts had suffered their first defeat in regulation since November of 2023. 

Tufts will be back out on Bello Field for the final game of the homestand as they play host to UMass Boston on Wednesday at 6:00 pm.