Tufts men's soccer closed a two-game homestand looking for a fifth consecutive undefeated week to begin October, having jumped to the No. 2 ranking in the country according to the United Soccer Coaches Poll. The squad — which had spent Tuesday night in a 90-minute dogfight with Babson College where Tufts had escaped with a 1–1 draw thanks to an 89th minute equalizer from sophomore superstar forward Xavier Canfin — was looking for their first clean sheet performance in a NESCAC game since Sept. 15 versus Connecticut College.
When the final whistle blew, not only had the defense achieved its goal of a shutout, but the offense had scored six times from six different players, the most goals they had scored in a NESCAC game since the last time Tufts faced Trinity in the 2018 season. After Saturday’s game, the Jumbos had clinched a spot in the NESCAC tournament with more than three weeks remaining in the regular season.
It took all of 10 minutes for the Jumbos to get on the scoresheet on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon on Bello Field. Graduate student midfielder Liam Gerken made an incisive run from the midfield, cutting between two Bantam defenders before taking a well-struck shot from 25 yards. Trinity goalkeeper Matt Birnhak made a sweeping save on the shot, but his defense was unable to stop senior midfielder Ethan Feigin from following up on the rebound and firing it into the roof of the net for his third goal in three games.
After Feigin’s goal, the Bantams settled in defensively, receiving an onslaught of Jumbo shots, but refusing to concede for another 20 minutes. However, in his current form, there is no stopping Gerken, who hit a half-volley from outside the box that found the upper quadrant of the Bantams’ goal and doubled the Jumbo lead 30 minutes into the game. This goal, Gerken’s fourth of the season, epitomized the sort of revelation his graduate year has been for the Jumbos’ soccer program.
When asked by the Daily about Gerken’s start to the season, Jumbos head coach Kyle Dezotell had nothing but praise, calling Gerken “one of our hardest working players, … if not the hardest working player every single practice.” Dezotell, normally reserved in the description of his players’ individual accolades, went so far as to call him “one of the best players in the NESCAC this season,” a description supported by his status as the NESCAC Player of the Week for Sept. 23. Gerken, who would go on to record an assist later in the match, sits second in the NESCAC in points, with 13 after 10 games played.
Less than three minutes later, it would be a usual face returning to the scoresheet, as Canfin burst in on goal, recording his fifth score of the campaign, making it a 3–0 lead and becoming the first Jumbo underclassman in 10 years to reach five goals. Canfin, who scored for his third consecutive game, is continuing to show why Dezotell views him as a “future All-American.”
Right before halftime, it was the first goal of 2024 for junior attacker Mason Schultz off a nice pass from junior forward Henry Perkins, as the Jumbos sent the Bantams to the break with their tails between their legs down 4–0.
With a comfortable lead, Dezotell opted to rotate his tired squad, making 10 substitutions before the second half. In fact, Dezotell would make sure almost everybody got a chance to show off their skills, with 28 different players getting minutes Saturday, including a first appearance of the season for sophomore goalkeeper Zach Ubamadu, who recorded two saves in net, after coming in with 37 minutes to play. In the second half, two players would record their first goals of the season, including graduate student forward Mikey Brady, who is looking to regain his All-Region form from a year ago, as well as sophomore forward Sandy Duggal, who recorded his first career goal with an 89th minute tally.
A fun sight for fans was the co-appearance of the Yanez brothers, junior midfielder Daniel and first-year midfielder Thomas, who played together on the pitch for the first time since their high school days. Both brothers were influential, with Daniel Yanez assisting on Brady’s goal and Thomas Yanez setting up Duggal’s goal, as the brothers sparked high expectations for what they could bring going forward.
Next up for Tufts is a much-needed week off before a trip to Lewiston to square off with Bates College on Saturday.
“We’re in an amazing spot [but] it’s not about resting,” Dezotell said.“We’ll be tired and resting when the season ends.”
If the start of the season is any indication, this season might not end until the Final Four in December.
