Soccer falls to Bowdoin for third straight loss

Brunswick, ME _ After beginning the season with a promising 4-0 record, the men's soccer team began a downward spiral homecoming weekend that continued at Bowdoin this Saturday, resulting in its third consecutive loss.

Looking to get back on the winning track this weekend, the men recovered from a 1-0 deficit at the half to tie the game and take it into overtime. But it was the Polar Bears who prevailed, sending the Jumbos home with a 1-2 loss.

Going into the game, the Jumbos knew that they faced a challenging match-up. Sitting atop the NESCAC standings with a 6-1 record, the Polar Bears were the Jumbos' toughest opponent thus far in the season.

Coming out in the first half, the Jumbos looked timid as Bowdoin quickly took control of the game. Nearly 15 minutes into the match-up, the Polar Bears' offensive charges paid off as freshmen Ethan Galloway scored an unassisted goal over the top of sophomore goalie Scott Conroy's reach. Though Bowdoin scored quickly, the Jumbos felt that after witnessing their opponent in action, they would be able to mount a comeback.

"In the first half there's always a little bit of nerves against a team like this," junior tri-captain Mike Blea said. "After seeing them though, I think we realized that we were certainly the better team."

A clearly stronger Jumbo team emerged in the second half of the game. Entering the period with a renewed intensity, the Jumbos quickly took charge of the game, keeping the ball in Polar Bear territory for most of the half. Taking several shots on goal, senior Garrett Dale was finally able to convert on a pass from junior teammate Craig Gelormini. With the game now tied, the Jumbos felt that it was in their hands, taking several more close shots on goal.

"After that goal, we definitely had the momentum going for us," Dale said.

"It was an awesome display," coach Ralph Ferringo said.

Time ran out on the Jumbos before their momentum scored them another point and they took the game into overtime. Tufts continued its push into the extra period, with several more crowd-teasing attempts on goal. In the end though, the Jumbos beat themselves: a scuffle in front of the goal caused Tufts to a Polar Bear shot into its own goal.

"They had the ball just once in our half for a lucky opportunity," Blea said.

The loss came as a heart breaker for the Jumbos especially after their performance on the day.

"This is probably our best game yet. We got unlucky but we proved a lot to ourselves," Blea said.

Blea's sentiments were echoed by most of the team.

"Bowdoin came into the game on top of the league, the top team in the region, and often times we looked like we were the home team today, we were so much on

top," Ferringo said.

Compounding 19 shots on the day, compared to Bowdoin's 14, the Jumbos were the dominant offensive team in the game, especially in the second half. With the loss now behind them, the Jumbos will focus on carrying over their solid play to their game against Salve Regina on Tuesday. Though Salve is an out-of-conference opponent, Tufts still considers the game of high importance.

"All of the games are important," Ferringo said. "I know some of our peers don't take the non-conference games as seriously, but I do. I think the attitude and the mentality are the keys for building a team, and I think our attitude and mentality have to be the same for Salve as they do for Trinity next weekend."

Tufts will try to put an end to their streak of losses this Tuesday at 4 p.m. on Kraft field.