Finally with some much-needed momentum in tow, the 3-3 men's soccer team (2-1 NESCAC) takes its act north to Lewiston, Maine tomorrow to play the Bates Bobcats (4-1-1, 2-1-1 NESCAC). Following consecutive home shutout victories - 2-0 over Amherst on Saturday and 3-0 over Rhode Island College on Tuesday - the next step for Tufts is to string together some all-important conference victories.
Despite injuries to junior defender Jon Glass, a tri-captain, and sophomore midfielder Greg O'Connell, the Jumbos have plenty of things working in their favor looking ahead to tomorrow.
Junior striker Mattia Chason, who leads the team in goals (4) and points (10) and is tied for the team-lead in assists (2), has scored all of his goals in the last two games. Chason has already equaled his 2004 goal total and has exceeded last fall's totals for assists and points. His offensive output has not only put crucial goals on the scoreboard but the extra attention he demands on the field serves as a catalyst for the rest of the Jumbo attack.
The young Tufts squad is benefiting from the contributions of three of its freshmen. Rookie goalkeeper Brian Dulmovits has started all six games for the Jumbos and provided his third career and second consecutive shutout on Tuesday against R.I.C. Additionally, first-year midfielders Sam James and Peter DeGregorio have both started in at least half of the team's games. DeGregorio assisted on James' goal against R.I.C., the first career points for both freshmen.
The Jumbos have come a long way from last week's shocking 4-3 loss to Salve Regina.
"We've put together two wins in a few days and we haven't given up a goal, and when I look back at the game from a week ago I still can't work out how [Salve Regina] scored one goal, let alone four," coach Ralph Ferrigno said following Tuesday's win. "We looked at the tape, we analyzed it, and I think they've taken a lot of lessons from it."
Another sign of the team gelling at this point in the season is its cohesiveness moving the ball from the back to the front. Prior to DeGregorio sending the ball from the midfield to James for his goal, it was senior defender Mike Lingenfelter who got the play started with a brilliant pass to DeGregorio. Ferrigno noted that while plays like this are a great addition, it is the fundamentals that matter most.
"I still think at this time in the season that you need to get your basics right," the coach said. "Once you get your [defensive] systems sorted, then you start to add things to it which is picking those moments to come out of the back and support the attack and to deliver balls. But at this time I'm more interested that they work together defensively."
This is not to say that the coach would not be pleased if it was the defense helping to boost the offense tomorrow in Lewiston. Bates has won four consecutive games, and its only loss came in the form of a season-opening 1-0 setback at the hands of Bowdoin.
The last time Tufts defeated Bates was in 2000, and the Jumbos' last victory on the road against the Bobcats came in 1999. Only a 2003 tie in Lewiston broke up what could have been a string of four losses to Bates. It is unlikely to be any easier this year, but the coach is confident that his team will be unfettered tomorrow, despite recent history.
"I've seen Bates play, and they are very good," Ferrigno said. "I think it's going to be a tough game, and I think we're going to have our work cut out, but I think we're capable .of getting the result out there."
