Men's soccer to take on top ranked Polar Bears

The men's soccer team (4-2, 2-2) travels to Bowdoin this Saturday to clash with the Polar Bears (5-1, 3-1) who benefited from the Jumbos two home losses last weekend and seized the top ranking in New England. With a 2-1 record against the Polar Bears over the last three years, the Jumbos hope that they can get their season back on the winning track at Bowdoin.

The squad suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss to Bates and a hard-fought battle to Wesleyan 2-1 last weekend. The then-nationally-ranked Jumbos endured their first taste of defeat and used this week to wash the bitter flavor out of their mouths.

Having a day off on Monday and four days of practice gave injured players time to recover.

"I think this week was huge," junior tri-captain Mike Blea said. "There is a slim possibly that [Scott] Conroy (injured goalie) will come back. This weekend we need to come out and play."

While Bates was ranked below the Jumbos, this week's opponent is ranked first in the NESCAC, which gives the team something to look forward to.

"It's going to be a tough game because they are now the number one team ranked in the region," coach Ralph Ferrigno said. "They have some good players and they are well organized."

The Jumbos have enjoyed success against the Polar Bears in the past. Last season, the Jumbos won 2-1 at home. Two years ago, Tufts lost at Bowdoin 1-0, but rebounded and made another trip to Maine where the Jumbos captured the ECAC Championship 3-1.

That championship victory can be largely credited to senior forward Garrett Dale, who scored two goals. This season, Dale and fellow senior tri-captain Matt McGregor lead the team in points with seven and six respectively. This senior leadership will be vital to the team's goal of defeating Bowdoin.

"I think that the big thing coming into the game is that (Dale and McGregor) are both seniors," Ferrigno said. "They are going to have to work very hard. Bowdoin being the home team will take it at us, Matt and Garrett will have to work hard to get balls."

There are some concerns about the team's defense, as it outscored 5-1 in the two games last weekend. Two of the team's three captains, Blea and junior Jesse Dinner play defense, meaning there is no lack of leadership around the goal.

"Me and Dinner need to communicate a lot better," Blea said. "The biggest problem is that we need to be more productive in getting the ball to our midfielders."

Junior Joe Coletti has been in goal for most of the season, in place of the injured Conroy, a player who some consider the best goalie in the NESCAC. In four games, Coletti is 2-2 with a save percentage of .731, allowing 1.75 goals per game. While Coletti has been playing well in goal, it is difficult to overlook Conroy's numbers, .818 save percentage, allowing 0.93 goals per game with a 2-0 record.

"Joe has played solidly," Ferrigno said. "One of the hard things is that he's not coming in to play, he's coming in to replace a top goalkeeper. But largely he has done well."

Ferrigno is unsure about how long Conroy will be out. Conroy had x-rays yesterday, but Ferrigno still plans to, "take it as it comes".

Rather than worry about Conroy's health, the team is focused on beating Bowdoin. The Polar Bears are a good match-up for the Jumbos as they play with similar styles.

"I think it should be relatively even," Ferrigno said. "We both have good players down the middle of the field, obviously we had a couple of setbacks last weekend. We have to get beyond that. Up until last weekend everything was going great, I hope the team gets track at Bowdoin."

Although Bowdoin is now the top-ranked team in New England, it does not mean it cannot be beaten. The Jumbos feel like they did not play to their potential last weekend and that they are a better team than the Polar Bears.

"I think Bowdoin is a good team, but I think we are definitely better," Blea said. "If we come out and play with the mindset that we are going to win, we should have no problem winning."