MEDFORD, MA (October 28, 2026) – For the first time since 2022, the No. 10 ranked Tufts University men's soccer team will be on the road as the fifth-seed for the 2026 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament on Saturday, as they will visit fourth-seed Connecticut College in New London, CT at 12:30 PM. Tufts is looking to quickly bounce back after falling to Bowdoin in the regular season finale by a score of 1-0, while No. 16 Connecticut College toppled Wesleyan, 3-0, in their final regular season contest to earn home field advantage for the Quarterfinal Round.
Game Details
Opponent: at No. 16 Connecticut College (10-2-3, 5-2-3 NESCAC)
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM
Location: New London, Conn. –
Silfen Field & Track
Weather: Mostly Clear, Mid 50s, Chance of Rain: 0% Wind: NW 5-10 MPH
Live Coverage: LIVE STATS –
LIVE VIDEO
Tufts vs Connecticut All-Time
Dating back to 1987, the Jumbos have registered a 21-13-8 all-time record versus the Camels. These two teams have been extremely balanced in recent history, as there has been a draw result in four of the last six matches dating back to 2022. Earlier this fall, Tufts and Connecticut played to a scoreless draw at Bello Field on September 19. The Jumbos led the shot column in that game 12-6, while also taking a 7-1 advantage in corner kick opportunities. The most recent NESCAC postseason matchup between these two squads came last season when the Jumbos took down the Camels 1-0 to claim their fourth conference title.
Xavier Canfin delivered an 82nd minute game-winning tally and the Jumbos were the top seed in last season's bracket, while Connecticut was the fifth seed.
A Look At The Jumbos (9-3-3, 5-3-2 NESCAC)
Tufts enters Saturday's clash with Connecticut as a well-balanced group with strengths at every position. The Jumbos ended the regular season with an overall record of 9-3-3, while going 5-3-2 in the conference standings, fueled by disciplined leaders and tremendous depth. This season, Tufts has outscored opponents 34-11, putting in 2.27 goals a game on average while conceding just 0.73 scores per contest. The Jumbos rank second in the conference with their 34 goals and sit in third in goals against average. Tufts also holds the first place lead in the NESCAC for corner kick chances with 115, while ranking second with a 1.54 scoring margin.
The aggressive offense communicates well and spreads the wealth. So far this season, 15 different Jumbos have found the back of the net. The team's 34 goals have come from 262 shot attempts, resulting in a 13.0 percent conversion rate. As a team, Tufts fires off roughly 17.5 shots per game, while keeping opponents shot attempts down to under ten per match, displaying their desire to control the pace of play each time they step on the pitch. The Jumbos have also allowed just 48 total corners compared to their conference leading 115, showing the constant offensive pressure they shell onto opponents.
Forward
Xavier Canfin has been the leader of this offensive attack throughout the season, highlighting the team with 16 points on five goals and six assists, which both lead Tufts, four of his goals have been game-winning markers.
Henry Brown follows just behind Canfin with 12 points on five goals and two assists, with an 18.5 percent shooting percentage.
Ben Brown has been a key playmaker as a long-throw specialist for the Jumbos as he ranks third on the team in points with nine on two goals and five assists.
The midfield group and forwards off the bench have also made major contributions so far in 2026 on both sides of the ball.
Ellis Denby has been strong in the midfield as he has appeared in all 15 games, starting in seven, and has totaled seven points on two goals and three assists.
Ben Pensky is the heart of this dynamic midfield crew, as he has accrued six points on three goals, with two of his markers being game-winning tallies. Another standout midfielder in
Will Nicholas has put out high energy effort every time he sees the field, he finished the regular season with a goal and two assists.
Ben Ortman is a key forward off the bench for Tufts, the Colorado native has appeared in all 15 games for the Jumbos and has also collected six points on two goals and two assists. Senior
Ethan Jett and junior
William Cornog have been pivotal pieces in the Tufts' lineup all season. Jett has started in all 14 games he has seen the field and put home two goals with a 14.6 shooting percentage. Cornog has the third most minutes played among field players for the Jumbos, while he also leads the Blue and Brown with two successful penalty kick scores.
On the defensive side, the Jumbos back line has shut down the opposition all fall. Teams have totaled just 11 goals scored against the Jumbos in 15 games and Tufts has held opponents to a 0.079 shooting percentage on 140 shot attempts. The group has put together eight shutouts, including a 0-0 draw versus Connecticut and clean sheets against Hamilton, Bates, and No. 7 Williams. The defensive core of
Alex Johnson,
Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das,
Ben Brown, and
Riley Gray have used their combination of speed, size, and strength to cause turnovers and wreak havoc within opposing offensive game plans.
Ryan Rizvi and Cornog have also been catalysts on the defensive end and have stepped up on the back line in big moments.
In goal,
Nikola Antic has been the main starter and lock down goalkeeper for Tufts this season. Antic has appeared and started in 14 games, he has totaled six clean sheets this season and has recently become the program's all-time leader in shutouts with 32. He has allowed 11 goals in 1,221 minutes for a 0.81 goals against average. Antic has corralled a .796 save percentage with 43 saves on 113 shots faced with 60 of those being on goal.
Head coach
Kyle Dezotell currently holds a 78-13-26 overall record during his time at Tufts with a .778 win percentage. Throughout his career as a head coach, Dezotell has captured over 260 wins with three conference championship victories, and an NCAA national championship win with Tufts in 2025.
A Look at The Camels (10-2-3, 5-2-3 NESCAC)
Connecticut comes into Saturday's contest with the Jumbos notching a 10-2-3 overall record, while going 5-2-3 in conference play. The Camels have gone undefeated outside of NESCAC action, as they accrued a 5-0-0 record in non-conference match-ups. Connecticut has been elite defensively this season, as they rank second in the NESCAC with just nine goals against in 15 games. The Camels maintained a +23 differential which is tied with Tufts for second in the conference, while earning nine shutouts.
On the offensive side, the Camels rank third in the conference with 89 total points on 32 goals and 25 assists. Connecticut is tied for third in the NESCAC with Amherst in scoring average with a 2.13 goals per game mark. The group has fired off 223 shot attempts with 109 being on target and holds a 79-48 advantage in corner kick chances.
Three senior midfielders in Marco Perugini, Max Weiss, and Max Haberman have led the offensive responsibilities for the Camels in 2026. Perugini has started every game and paces the squad with 22 points, which ranks third in the conference, on eight goals and six assists. Weiss follows just behind with 18 points on six goals and six assists, while Haberman has nine total points on four goals and an assist in 14 starts. First Year Devin Kellan leads all Camel forwards with six points on three goals.
Connecticut's spread out scoring has been a major factor in their success this fall. The Camels have seen 13 different goal scorers this season. Henry Lester, Charlie Miles, and Gavin Mpiana have combined for nine total points in 2026 on three goals and three assists. First Years Boston Childers and Mateo Cosentino found their first collegiate tallies in the fall. The crew moves the ball well which has resulted in 25 assists on their 32 goals, showing their ability to connect on passes and carve through opposing defenses.
Defensively is where Connecticut especially stands out. Having allowed just nine goals in 15 matches, the Camels are allowing just 0.075 goals per game and limit their opponents to 37 shots on goal, resulting in 2.47 shots on goal per contest by opposing teams. The Camels look to control possession and the pace of play in games, while they rely heavily on their lockdown defense to get them over the top. Jayden Fokuo, Charlies Miles, Taylor Freddie, and Dylan Hoke make up the core of the back line for the Camels.
In net, Casey Shea and Connor Smith have been crucial to Connecticut ranking in the top-15 nationally in goals against average. Shea is the main starter as he has appeared and started in 10 games this season. He leads the Camel goalkeepers with 21 saves and five shutouts. Sophomore Connor Griffin has appeared and started in five games for Connecticut and holds an undefeated 5-0-0 record with three shutouts and an impressive .875 save percentage. The Camel netminders have accumulated nine clean sheets and allowed just two goals in their last seven games.
Connecticut has been consistent with their style of play all fall and despite their two losses in the middle of the season, the Camels have proved themselves to be a serious threat to any team that matches up against them.
Head coach Reuben Burk is in his ninth season with the Camels and has reached the NESCAC Championship game three times in the last four years. No other team in the NESCAC has had as many championship appearances in the last four seasons.
NESCAC Tournament Schedule
October 31 – Quarterfinals
No. 8 Amherst at No. 1 Middlebury – 12:30 PM
No. 7 Wesleyan at No. 2 Williams – 12:30 PM
No. 6 Hamilton at No. 3 Bowdoin – 12:30 PM
No. 5 Tufts at No. 4 Connecticut – 12:30 PM
November 7 – Semifinals
November 8 -- Finals
--JUMBOS--
