One header was all the men's soccer team needed on Saturday to secure its first win of the 2004 season. Junior forward Todd Gilbert redirected a perfectly placed free kick from classmate Mike Lingenfelter to score the only goal of the match and lead the Jumbos past the Colby White Mules, 1-0.
Gilbert had several reactions to scoring the game winner.
"I felt proud, but more relieved," Gilbert said. "Last season, I had an off year, and so did the team."
The win was a first step forward for a young Jumbo team in search of resurgence after last year's disappointing results. It also lengthened Tufts' streak without a loss against Colby to 11 years. The Jumbos are 10-0-1 against the White Mules since 1993.
Strong goaltending and a solid finish to the match helped the Jumbos ensure that Gilbert's goal would be all it took to defeat Colby. Senior keeper Matt Sullivan recorded ten saves and the second shutout of his Tufts career. His solid play was highlighted by a save on a breakaway in the 73rd minute.
"I waited for him to shoot," Sullivan said of his aggressive save. "Then I just reacted."
Tufts had an early opportunity to go up 1-0 on Colby in the 16th minute with junior center midfielder Mike Guigli's penalty kick. However, Colby's senior keeper Brian Davidson dove to his right in front of Guigli's shot and preserved the 0-0 stalemate.
"We played well until the missed penalty," head coach Ralph Ferrigno said. "That save gave Colby more confidence."
The Mules displayed that confidence throughout the first half and into the second 45 minutes, but it quickly waned with the Jumbo goal. Senior Brett Wong drove the ball deep into Colby territory to the right corner. He was fouled by a Mule defender which led Lingenfelter to quickly set up for the free kick.
With a sailing ball that closely resembled a corner kick, Lingenfelter's kick cleared the Colby defense and was punched toward the far post by an airborne Gilbert. With momentum on their side after the goal, Tufts settled down and played solid soccer for the duration of the match.
"It was a gutsy performance," Ferrigno said. "We really [came together] in the second half."
"The team played well even though we are young at many positions," Gilbert said. "This was a huge win because it made the team gel. It was a huge confidence boost for us."
Aggressive, physical defense from sophomores Aaron Nass and Jon Glass along with freshman Andrew Drucker played a large role in helping to maintain Sullivan's shutout. Ferrigno was especially impressed by Drucker's ability to adjust to his first collegiate match and respond with the poise of a more experienced player.
"Even though Drucker is a freshman, he set a good example for the upper classmen," Ferrigno said.
The Jumbos will take their 1-0 record into their next match just down Mass. Ave. to MIT on Wednesday. Last year, Tufts tied the Engineers 1-1 in double overtime on Kraft Field. That game was the only tie of the year for an MIT squad that finished 17-2-1 and defeated NESCAC champ Williams in the NCAA tournament, snapping the Ephs' 15-game win streak.
Despite their overall success last year, MIT has always had trouble with the Jumbos. Tufts had won every match between the two teams since 1999 leading up to last year's stalemate. With one all-important NESCAC victory under its belt, Tufts will use this match against the Engineers as a stepping stone to build momentum for its next NESCAC game at Middlebury on September 18.
