The men's soccer team responded from a 3-2 home defeat on Saturday to Middlebury with an expected yet important 2-0 victory over non-league rival MIT. After a lethargic first half, the Jumbos were able to respond to bring their overall mark to 2-1 on the season.
Though Tufts has dominated the cross-town series of late, MIT entered having surrendered only one goal in an unblemished 4-0 start.
"We did not have a good first half," coach Ralph Ferrigno said. "It was a very evenly played first half. I give credit to MIT, this is by far their best team in a long time. Luckily we responded well in the second half, but we certainly have room to improve."
"In my 4 years here we have always had problems getting up for weekday games against non-NESCAC opponents," senior tri-captain Mike Prindiville said. "It's definitely something we need to learn how to play through."
Tufts came out after the half with much more intensity. In the early part of the second half, the Jumbos controlled the ball in MIT's zone and deposited a series of shots on goal. The scoreless tie was finally broken roughly ten minutes in when junior Garrett Dale netted his second goal of the season, after with an assist coming from a header from sophomore mid fielder Brian Mikel. Dale showed both exuberance and a measure of relief when he threw his jersey over his head and collapsed on the ground in celebration.
The Jumbos scored their second and final goal with 15 minutes remaining. Junior tri-captain Matt Macgregor was taken down on a break away and a yellow card was issued, setting up a direct kick opportunity for Tufts. Senior tri-captain Brad Stitchberry intentionally overran the ball, faking a shot, and Mikel delivered a rocket perfectly into the right corner of the goal to cement the win.
"We played a good second half," junior fullback Rupak Datta said. "It was really all about intensity. We started winning 50/50 balls and came out stronger."
"This may sound a little pompous, but at halftime I think we realized we were playing MIT," Prindiville said. "We made an effort to attack and I think we knew we'd win."
The game also marked the first career shutout for freshman goal-keeper Scott Conroy. Conroy looked poised in goal throughout the match and made one particularly outstanding play on an MIT breakaway.
"It's all about confidence and his will certainly improve as the season goes on," Ferrigno said.
"Scott is incredibly talented in goal," Prindiville said. "After losing Steve (Mcdermid, a four year starter) goal was a question mark. Scott's shot stopping ability is at a high level. He needs to realize he's a centerpiece and step up and lead, which is sometimes a hard thing for a freshman to do."
Although the Jumbo offense came alive in the second half, it had several injuries to contend with. Shortly after the game's first goal, Matt Macgregor collided with an MIT fullback. Macgregor clearly got the worst of the head-on collision, and dropped to the ground before rising shortly after. He stayed in the game but exited shortly after and did not return.
After the second goal was netted, Dale was injured when an MIT forward jumped for a header and fell awkwardly over Dale, appearing to knee the junior midfielder in the head. Dale, who was actually called for a foul on the play, fell to the ground and bled heavily from a gash on his head. He also did not return.
Both players were taken to the hospital as precautions after the game but were expected to be fine.
"Things can get a little chippy at the end of a game," Prindiville said. "Frustration sets in, you just have to be careful not to get too involved with it."
The Jumbos now turn their eyes to Saturday's contest at NESCAC rival Colby.
"We've got a number of things to work on in the next two days," said Ferrigno. "We will most certainly have to play better against Colby. I have seen them play. They are a much better team than MIT."
"We've gotten a good bearing in our first three games for what we'll have to do to stay competitive," Prindiville said. "It should be a tough game, especially up there. Colby's never a top NESCAC team, but we'll have to be prepared. We're starting to come together, if we play our game, we should put them away."
