The men's soccer team took care of business yesterday, stifling the Gordon College Fighting Scots 2-0 at Zimman Field in their last home game of the season. Tufts received goals from junior Pat Brophy and sophomore Matt McGregor to improve its overall record to 7-4-2 heading into the final game of the regular season at Connecticut College on Saturday.
The Jumbos controlled this game from whistle to whistle, out-shooting Gordon 24-12. Senior tri-captain Steve McDermid was able to relax during the final regular season home appearance of his career as he was called upon for only one save, while the Tufts defense kept the Scots at bay. It was McDermid's 17th shutout in 61 total games between the pipes. "Both teams were playing rough," MacGregor said. "It was a very physical game."
Tufts first goal came late in the first half when Brophy drilled in a rebound off of a MacGregor shot in the 25th minute, past Gordon keeper Matt Fliermans.
"He's really played well," MacGregor said of Brophy. "He's really stepped up and been one of our best assets all season. He's done something in every game." It was Brophy's fourth goal in five games since being called up from JV. Despite playing in so few games, Brophy now has eight points and is tied for fourth on the team's scoring list with sophomore Garret Dale.
The game remained 1-0 until the second half when MacGregor added an unassisted insurance goal from fifteen yards out. The tally was MacGregor's team-leading sixth goal of the season, and coupled with his assist on Brophy's goal, it increased his season point total to 19. MacGregor is also tied with Kyle Dezotell of Middlebury for fourth in NESCAC scoring.
The Jumbos had a number of opportunities during the game, but the Gordon defense also played a strong game. "They really packed it in," MacGregor said. "They had eight or nine guys back there at a time. They played a great defensive game."
Since the game was non-conference, it will not affect the Jumbos' position in the NESCAC. Still, the team wanted the win for momentum purposes. "We needed to win this game to keep our confidence up," MacGregor said.
Brophy agreed. "We took it pretty seriously," he said. "It's not a NESCAC game, but it does count in the ECAC and we can use to improve our standing there."
The Jumbos were without senior midfielder David Drucker (who sustained a mild injury during the first half of the Williams game), sophomore Garrett Dale (still recovering from a sprained ankle in last Wednesday's win over Lasell) and sophomore defender Rupak Datta. Datta is serving his suspension for a red card against Williams on Saturday. Datta will miss the game against Connecticut College, while Coach Ralph Ferrigno was hopeful that Drucker would be back for Saturday.
Both teams in yesterday's game were young, with only four seniors between the two rosters. Tufts started six freshmen, with McDermid the lone senior to suit up for the occasion. "We are a very young team," Ferrigo said. "That needs to be taken into account."
For the Scots, yesterday was the last game of the regular season. Gordon's overall record now stands at 10-7-0, and it remains in third place in the Commonwealth Coast Conference behind Roger Williams College and Colby-Sawyer College with a record of 8-5-0.
On Saturday, the Jumbos will complete their regular season with a match against Connecticut College, who is tied with Amherst and Wesleyan for fifth place in the NESCAC with a record of 3-5-0.
"You never like to say definitely that you will win," Ferrigno said. "The NESCAC is too tough, and Connecticut College needs a win."
A Jumbo win or tie clinches fourth place in the conference and a home playoff game against either Amherst, Connecticut College, or Wesleyan next Tuesday afternoon. A loss will drop the Jumbos behind Connecticut College in the standings into fifth place or maybe lower if Amherst beats a 2-5-1 Trinity team. In the event of a Tufts loss and an Amherst win, Tufts would lose tiebreakers to both teams and drop to sixth place in the conference.
