NEW LONDON, CT (October 31, 2026) – The No. 10 ranked Tufts University men's soccer pushed their way into the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Semifinal Round after edging out Connecticut in penalties, 1-1 (5-3), on the road at Tempel Green Field this afternoon.
 
The Jumbos (9-3-4, 5-3-2 NESCAC), held a one-goal advantage throughout the majority of regulation during the postseason matchup. The Camels (10-2-4, 5-2-3 NESCAC), found a late equalizer in the 86th minute to knot the contest at one and send the game into overtime.
 
Will Nicholas found the back of the net for the second time this season in the fourth minute to give the Jumbos an early one score lead. Ellis Denby sent a long free kick chance into the box just inside midfield, the ball took a couple ricochets before landing on Nicholas' right foot, and the midfielder rifled a shot into the right hand side of the cage.
 
Despite facing a one-goal deficit at halftime, the Camels were all over the Jumbo defensive end as they led the shot department 12-1 at the break, while also holding a comfortable five to one advantage in corner kick opportunities. Antic stuffed all three shots within the goal mount in the opening 45 minutes.
 
Similar to the first half, Connecticut was aggressive offensively as they outshot the Jumbos 12-2 in the final 45 minutes, while also leading slightly in corner kicks, three to two.
 
At the 86:23 mark, Marco Perugini converted on a penalty kick chance to tie the game at one with under four minutes remaining in regulation. Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das attempted a sliding tackle in the box that unfortunately found the leg of a Camel forward, resulting in the penalty opportunity.
 
Both teams attempted just one shot across both overtime periods. Nikola Antic made seven saves, which all came in regulation, while Alex Johnson, Akhtarzandi-Das, William Cornog, Ellis Denby, Ryan Rizvi, and Ben Brown each saw the full 110 minutes of action.

Tufts advances to the NESCAC Semifinals after defeating the Camels in PKs, 5-3.
 
The Jumbos will travel to Williamstown, MA next Saturday as they will face off against Hamilton in the NESCAC Semifinals at Williams, kick off set for 1:30 PM.