Men's Soccer | Soccer team starts season 2-0

    The men's soccer is certainly silencing its critics.
    In both 2007 and 2006, the Jumbos went five games before picking up their first win of the season. This season, however, has provided a different story. The team (2-0-0) won its second straight non-conference game on Wednesday, defeating the Southern Maine Huskies (3-1-1) 2-0 three days after opening its season with a victory over Gordon by the same score.
    "I think we played today as though we got a lot of the kinks out over the weekend," junior forward Dan Schoening said. "We played as more of a team."
    After a slow start to the game, Tufts jumped out to the lead on a goal in the 36th minute from sophomore Pat Doherty. The goal was set up by Schoening, who intercepted an attempt by Southern Maine's goalie to clear the ball and then fed it to Doherty.
    "The keeper pretty much kicked it right at me," Schoening said. "I touched it down and then passed it to Pat, who made a nice run and finished it."
    The Huskies' offense was held in check by another stellar performance from the Jumbo defense, anchored by senior tri-captain goalie Dave McKeon. He recorded his second straight shutout, good for the sixth of his career. McKeon's performance included an impressive save in the first half after Southern Maine's senior forward Sinisa Bajic had a clear shot on goal from just ten yards out.
    "The defense was really strong," Schoening said. "They're coming out and playing hard every game."
    Tufts added a second goal in the 82nd minute thanks to a blast from sophomore midfielder Ben Green, who struck the ball from just outside of the left side of the box and into the near post. Tufts was efficient in its attack, capitalizing on two of just five shots on goal.
    Diversified offensive production has been one key difference between 2008 and past years. In the first two games of the season, the Jumbos have put up four goals by four different players, underscoring the balance in this year's squad.
    "Four goals by four different players is pretty much the definition of well-roundedness," Schoening said. "Everybody is contributing."
    And the differences certainly don't end there. Senior tri-captain Peter DeGregorio credits the midfield for the playmaking abilities it has shown during the first two games.
    "We have a really strong midfield," he said. "We're very deep there, and the midfielders are giving us a huge advantage by creating more chances than we probably had last year. Then, the forwards are doing their jobs up front."
    While every win is important, the Jumbos are hoping these early ones will give them the season-starting boost they've been lacking. And with the team's first NESCAC contest coming up Saturday against the Colby Mules, these past two non-conference games have provided invaluable experience for a relatively green roster.
    "Three-quarters of the starters had never started before," DeGregorio said. "I think it was good for a lot of them to get the first game under their belt. We were more solid [Wednesday]."
    Despite the team's success against non-conference opponents, the move to              conference play presents new challenges. Tufts has not defeated Colby since 2005, although the Jumbos led 2-0 in the second half of last year's matchup before the Camels mounted a comeback and brought the game to a tie after overtime. But both of Tufts' goals came courtesy of senior tri-captain forward Greg O'Connell (LA '08), a player whose physical efforts in NESCAC games has so far left a void in the Jumbo line.
    "The pace, intensity and importance will all increase," DeGregorio said of the transition to NESCAC opponents. "The difference is how intense and physical all NESCAC games are. The quality of the teams isn't much stronger."
    "This weekend will be our biggest game yet," Schoening added. "We've been talking a lot about momentum. We haven't had a start like this since I've been here, and we're hoping the momentum can carry us through."
    With the next phase of the young season about to start as conference competition kicks off, the Jumbos have adopted a new mantra that embodies the importance they are placing on momentum.
    "A few of the guys have been using the saying, ‘Ride the wave,'" DeGregorio said.