Tufts narrowly tops Conn. College, remains unbeaten

The men’s lacrosse team bested the Conn. College Camels Saturday evening by a score of 10-9. The undefeated Jumbos stretched their record to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the NESCAC with the win.

This contest was the closest the team has played this year, and it narrowly escaped with its perfect record still intact. Conn. College entered the day with a record of 2-6 and without a victory in NESCAC play, having gone 0-3. With the loss, it is the only team in the conference with a winless NESCAC record.

That did not stop the Camels from giving the No. 1, defending champion Jumbos a run for their money. Even without a great record, the tightness of the game exemplifies the depth and talent of the conference.

“The NESCAC, from top to bottom, is a great conference," junior midfielder Garrett Clarke told the Daily in an email. "Each team is capable of winning the conference if you do not put your best effort forth.”

Junior midfielder Kyle Howard-Johnson scored the go-ahead goal with 3:11 remaining, breaking a 9-9 tie. His strike was the final one of the evening, and the Jumbos held on for the nail-biting win.

“Conn. College is a good team that capitalized on our mistakes,” Clarke said. "They have a great coaching staff and executed their game plan very efficiently."

Conn. College started the game well, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. Junior attackman John Uppgren got Tufts on the board with a goal coming with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter.

The teams exchanged goals and were tied 4-4 at the half at 6-6 early in the third quarter. The Jumbos then scored three straight, taking a 9-6 lead three minutes into the fourth. 

Just like it did the whole game, Conn. College hung around. The Camels netted three consecutive goals of their own, again knotting the score with just fewer than seven minutes to play. The only goal in the final seven minutes was Howard-Johnson’s eventual game-winner.

“It was great play by our defense at the end of the game by responding to what Conn. College was giving us," junior midfielder Sawyer Dew told the Daily in an email. "Even though Conn. College was playing a very deliberate offense, our defense was stout in those long tiring possessions and our offense scored when we needed. That was able to help secure us the win.”

Tufts’ high-powered offense was somewhat stifled by Conn. College. It was a rare low-scoring game for a Tufts offense that went into it averaging 17.38 goals per contest. The 10-goal output was the lowest the Jumbos have recorded so far this season. The Jumbos were also outshot by a 51-37 margin, a small total for a team that regularly averages in the 50s and dominates ball-possession.

Dew credited Conn. College for making the game tough on Tufts.

“Conn. College came out with a game plan ready to play. We just needed to grit our teeth and grind one out by sticking to our fundamentals and our drive to win,” Dew said.

Uppgren finished the game with four goals and two assists, and Howard-Johnson tallied three goals and one helper. Clarke and junior attackman Connor Bilby each notched a goal and an assist. Junior Alex Salazar manned the Tufts goal, making 10 saves and earning the victory. For the Camels, senior attackman Briggs Barton had two goals and an assist on a whopping 19 shots.

The Jumbos will look to remain undefeated Tuesday, when they play host to the No. 8 and undefeated Williams Ephs at 3:30 p.m. It should be a test for Tufts, much like every game in a deep conference.

“We respect every single team in the NESCAC, and it is such a pleasure to be able to play in these types of games,” Dew said. "Each one allows us to really appreciate playing in such a competitive conference that thrives in the sport of lacrosse and allow us to improve. After we review the film and get back to work, it is on to the next one as every game is a showdown in this conference.”