Though the opponent was mediocre and the competition below the level of NESCAC games, the men's soccer team continued its winning ways with a non-conference, 4-1 decision over Johnson & Wales at home on Wednesday afternoon. The victory was the Jumbos' fifth in a row and eighth in their last nine, and their blistering play of late earned them a national ranking of 23 in a recent National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll.
With the win, Tufts improved its overall mark to 9-2 (5-2 NESCAC) as it heads into the season's biggest showdown: a Saturday afternoon rendezvous with undefeated NESCAC leader Williams College in Williamstown.
While Johnson & Wales was not the most difficult opponent Tufts had to face this year, coach Ralph Ferrigno said the Wildcats had several dangerous players who made the team competitive.
"It's always a bit difficult when there's a huge game coming up on the weekend to try and get the player's minds on the task at hand, which was playing" yesterday, he said. "Obviously, we didn't play our best game, but we worked comfortably and did what we needed to do. I thought they did well." From the outset, it was clear Tufts had the edge in talent. The Jumbos were able to control the ball, and played most of the game in Johnson & Wales' territory. Junior midfielder Garrett Dale scored the game's first goal at 36:40 of the first half. It was Dale's team-leading sixth goal of the 2001 campaign.
On a throw-in, senior tri-captain Brad Stitchberry delivered the ball high in the air into Johnson & Wales' box. Senior Pat Brophy then headed the ball beautifully to Dale, who deposited a line drive past Johnson & Wales' keeper, Trevor Foden.
Four minutes later, the Jumbos struck again. This time it was Stitchberry netting his second goal of the season. When junior tri-captain Matt MacGregor sent a great touch from the right to a streaking Stitchberry, the midfielder had no problem putting a grounder in the right side of the goal.
The Johnson & Wales squad cut the lead in half when graduate student Milton Johnson managed to score after a collision in the box left the Jumbos' defense absent.
But the second half was all Tufts, as the team continued to dominate play and put the pressure on its lackluster opponent. The Jumbos managed two second half goals, while just missing on several other opportunities. Twenty minutes into second half play, sophomore forward Alex Berg scored his first of two consecutive goals on an unassisted move. With two minutes remaining, Berg headed in a pass from freshman Josh Kovitz to cement the 4-1 victory.
"We didn't want to look past today," tri-captain Mike Prindiville said. "We knew we needed the victory because it still matters for an at-large bid, and we have to keep our overall record good."
With the victory in the books, the Jumbos can now switch their sights to Saturday's immense match-up with undefeated Williams College. One question mark is starting fullback Rupak Datta, who injured his ankle in practice this week and did not play on Wednesday. His status for Saturday is probable, although still unknown. With or without Datta, it is clear the Jumbos have had this game circled on their calendars for a long time.
"All I can think about is my freshman year," Prindiville said. "We played Middlebury this same time of year. They were 12-0, and we went up to Vermont as they were preparing for the NCAA tournament. We absolutely outplayed them and beat them 1-0. We have to take the game to them."
MacGregor echoed his fellow captain's sentiments. "Williams is by far the best team in the NESCAC, and it's the best team they've had for a long time," said MacGregor. "In order to beat a team like that we have to play our best...They key to winning is everyone putting in 110 percent, and really play a good game."
"Luck never hurts either," he continued. "We have to go out there and give a great effort. I think we can come out with a win if we play really well. We can play with them, there's no doubt."
The Jumbos will travel to Williamstown on Saturday for a 1 p.m. showdown with the Ephmen.
