MEDFORD, MA (September 5, 2026) – The No. 1 ranked Tufts University men's soccer team possessed the ball well in the opposing half and refused to concede any threatening chances as they held the Bantams scoreless to collect a 2-0 victory in the season-opening NESCAC contest against Trinity (Conn.).
 
The Jumbos (1-0-0, 1-0-0 NESCAC), held the ball in the Bantams end for the majority of the first half and did not let Trinity (0-1-0, 0-1-0 NESCAC) find their rhythm passing the ball. Xavier Canfin potted the lone Jumbo first half goal after William Cornog carved out spaced for a cross and delivered a dot to the left foot of Canfin, who volleyed the ball into the left hand side of the goal to give Tufts a 1-0 lead before halftime.
 
Trinity and Tufts seemed to be figuring each other out in the early goings, with a lot of change in possession in the midfield. Prior the tally from Canfin, Trinity midfielder Trevor Saruwaka tested Nikola Antic in the 12th minute with a strike towards the upper middle half of the goal, but Antic made the save.
 
Tufts held the Bantams off the board for the rest of the first 45 as the Jumbo back line denied any attempt at through passes to set up the Trinity forwards. However, the Bantams did come out with a more strategic attack to begin the second half as they earned two corner kicks, a free kick, and a shot on goal that was handled by Antic.
 
The Jumbos buried their second goal of the night in the 58th minute to give Tufts a two goal advantage. A top notch corner kick setup from Ellis Denby found Henry Brown for a spectacular header goal into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.
 
Tufts maintained possession and took time off the clock during the final 30 minutes of play. Blocking shots and preventing chances allowed the Jumbos to coast to the victory. However, Trinity was able to put together one threatening chance against Antic in the 83rd minute, as Wallace Lawrence ripped an absolute missile towards top right corner of the net and Antic had to make an outstanding diving punch save to hold the Bantams off the scoreboard.
 
Alex Johnson and Bijan Aktarzandi-Das were the only two field players for the Jumbos that played the full 90 minutes. Antic collected four total saves and earned his 25th career shutout.
 
The Jumbos are back in action on Wednesday as the Jumbos will visit Middletown, CT for another NESCAC clash against Wesleyan at 7 PM.