MEDFORD, MA (September 1, 2026) – After capturing their fifth all-time NCAA National Championship in Tufts University Men's Soccer history and finishing the 2025 season with a 20-1-3 record, the Jumbos will look to defend their title and return strong for the 2026 campaign.
The Jumbos concluded last season with a 20-1-3 record, this marks the first time in program history that Tufts ended an entire season with exactly one loss. When asked about the historic run from 2025, Dezotell mentioned, "We are proud of what we accomplished last season, but we are onto 2026 now and this season has its own life and we're ready to get it started. Nothing that happened last year will have any impact on what happens this year and we have to be ready to attack every day."
Tufts holds the number one ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Division III Preseason Poll. Dezotell was asked about the energy within the team heading into the fall and he stated, "Our guys are excited to be back on campus and are ready to go and cannot wait for September 5th to get here."
Coach Dezotell shared his leadership expectations for his captains this upcoming season and shared, "We are fortunate to have
Ben Pensky back for a fifth year after missing his freshman year with an injury and
Ben Brown will return after having a breakout season last year. Both of these guys are fantastic leaders in their own ways, they are team first guys through and through."
The Jumbos will look to ride the momentum of the home crowds as they will host 10 games at Bello Field compared to just five matchups on the road. The conference schedule will be no easy task as the Jumbos will open NESCAC play against Trinity (Conn.) at home on opening weekend. Tufts will then take on Wesleyan, Colby, and No. 9 Connecticut College. Next, the Jumbos visit Amherst and Hamilton on the road before returning home against No. 19 Middlebury. The Bo's will cap off their NESCAC slate with important matches against Bates, No. 10 Williams, and No. 5 Bowdoin. No. 22 UMass Boston, Thomas College, WPI, Babson, and Westfield State are the opponents for non-conference action throughout the season. When asked about the excitement heading into the season, Dezotell too the time to express appreciation the for level of competition they face, "Our group loves the challenge of each day and loves the challenge of being in the NESCAC and facing that strong level of competition, we know every single game is going to be an absolute battle if we want to come out on top in those moments we are going to have to be the best versions of ourselves."
Although Tufts lost several key contributors to the success of last season, the depth of last year's rosters stays intact, and the new arrivals are ready to make an immediate impact. "We have a large group of returning players who know what our culture, mentality, and standards are and we look to them to lead our team and help us find our identity." Dezotell said.
A major area of focus in the preseason for Dezotell is replacing the Jumbos playmaking and goal scoring departures. Forward Heny Perkins and midfielder
Daniel Yanez both ranked in the top four on last year's squad in goals scored and total points. Perkins was tied for the lead in assists with six and Yanez was tied for third with Perkins with five goals scored apiece. Dezotell did express what he thinks are the strengths of the roster this year, "We return two All-Americans with
Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das and
Xavier Canfin and we have many others that could earn accolades like those at the end of this season. Our team knows exactly who they are, we know how we want to play, and we know how to be successful."
Xavier Canfin and
Henry Brown will both return for their senior campaigns after finishing last season as the top two point scorers on the Jumbos. Canfin put his talents on full display last season, whether it was playmaking or scoring, Canfin delivered clutch moments all season with four total game winning goals. The signature highlight of the season came when he scored the game winning overtime goal in the NCAA National Championship against No. 5 Trinity (Tx.). Brown had a stellar season as well, finishing with an All-NESCAC First Team nod and a USC All-Region Second Team selection. Brown buried seven goals on the season which ranked second just behind Canfin.
One new arrival will join and seek to make an immediate impact amongst the Jumbos attackers, with
Oscar Suarez joining the Jumbos in Medford. Suarez was named to the England ISFA U-18 National Team, which represents the top independent school players in the country, as a junior and senior in high school. Suarez also played at the semi-professional level for Walton & Hersham FC and was the club's leading scorer, while also leading the scoring in the FA Youth Cup.
Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das will look to be a major component of the midfield after earning an All-NESCAC First Team selection, a USC All-America Fourth Team selection, and a USC All-Region First Team selection as a defensive midfielder in 2025. Akhtarzandi-Das was a workhorse for the Jumbos last season, playing the full 90 minutes in 18 out of the 24 games last season and burying three goals.
Junior Ellis Danby and sophomore
Gianluca Fallone are back in the midfield after promising 2025 seasons. Danby and Fallone each tallied two goals and three assists throughout the season to help bolster the Jumbos' offense. Danby registered two game-winning goals in NESCAC wins over Hamilton and Trinity (Conn.), while Fallone recorded his two goals in the first game of the season in a victory at MIT.
The three incoming rookie midfielders,
Curtis Fitzgerald,
Jack Swartz, and
Theo Behe, will try and continue the Jumbos' strong midfield reputation. Fitzgerald earn three varsity letters in soccer as an attacking midfielder and was a two-time Second Team All-Texas as a sophomore and senior in high school. Swartz earned Team MVP honors and was an All-County and All-State selection during his senior season. Behe earned Young Player of the Season honors and was named Team MVP for Wingate and Finchley in high school. Behe helped his team capture the Middlesex Cup Championship.
Tufts enters the 2026 campaign with a well balanced look, as the defensive side of the squad seems to be just strong as well. The Jumbos ended last season with a .54 goals against average which led the NESCAC. The team did lose
James Flagg,
Mateo Bargagna, and
Taylor Feinberg to graduation who all made key appearances for the Bo's in 2025, but the depth has Tufts' defense in a strong position heading into the 2026 campaign.
Senior
Ethan Jett, sophomore
Alex Johnson, and juniors William Cornug and
Ryan Rizvi are all back to anchor the Jumbos' defense. Jett appeared in 21 games last season and racked up over 900 minutes played throughout the season, so he will be leaned on to lead this group.
Alex Johnson had a remarkable debut season with Tufts, playing in all 24 games with over 1500 total minutes played. Johnson led all Tufts defenders offensively as he finished 2025 with two goals and two assists. Johnson's memorable moment from last season came when he delivered the game winning strike against No. 10 Bowdoin in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Both Cornog and Rizvi made key defensive impacts off the bench throughout the year and will look to carve out bigger roles in the upcoming season.
Three new faces will join the defensive side of the Jumbo roster, with
Riley Gray,
Marcos Santana, and
Cameron Rafati coming to Medford. Gray is a sophomore transfer from San Diego State and was an All-League First Team selection in high school. Gray Suited up for Marin FC ECNL as well as Marin FC Legends prior to joining San Diego State. Santana is a first-year who earned four varsity letters in high school as a two-year co-captain. Santana was named to the Sports Illustrated Prep School All-America list, earned All-NEPSAC Team honors, and helped his school to two NEPSAC Class A Championships. Rafati earned varsity recognition in high school and was a two-year co-captain during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Rafati was selected to the All-League First Team twice and helped his team register 14 clean sheets in 16 matches.
In goal, two of the four keepers from 2025 will return for the 2026 campaign, with
Nikola Antic back for his senior season and
David Marotta here as a sophomore. Joining the goalie position crew are first years
Jack Kelley and
Julian Ballester. Dezotell stated, "expectations are high, we obviously return the top goalkeeper in the region in Antic and along with that we have brought in really strong guys that are going to push Nic and give us depth." Dezotell also expressed serious confidence in his goalkeeping lineup, "I'd be very surprised if there is a better goalkeeping group in Division three than what we have."
Antic will look to replicate his standout season from last year, starting in all 24 games for the Jumbos and earning All-NESCAC First Team honors. Antic ended the season with 10 shutouts, 2112 minutes played, and a .55 goals against average which all led the NESCAC. Antic was also named to the USC All-Region First Team.
The stage is set, and the schedule is ready, the Jumbos are prepared to start their 2026 journey. They will begin their pursuit of success at home on Saturday as they will host NESCAC action against Trinity (Conn.) at 7:00 PM on Bello Field.
--JUMBOS--
