The men's soccer team is trying to ignore the Red Sox revelry as it concentrates on clinching a playoff berth.
Although Tufts faces a tough situation, the team is confident on making the playoffs and playing on Halloween.
The Jumbos face what is virtually a must-win game against the Connecticut Camels this Saturday, with their playoff hopes on the line.
A win or a Trinity loss would assure the Jumbos the seventh and final playoff spot in the conference and a spot into the playoffs next weekend.
"When there is a chance that you may not move on, it has to be a must-win game for us," coach Ralph Ferrigno said.
Luckily for Tufts, Connecticut sits in last place in the NESCAC with an overall record of 2-10 for the season and 0-7 in the conference. It seems that for the first time in the fall season the Jumbos seem to have an advantage coming into the game.
Tufts has a perfect record against the Camels in its last four games; good news for a team hungry for a win.
If the Jumbos fail to defeat the Camels and Trinity prevails over Middlebury, then the season will be over for the young team.
In order for Tufts to overcome the Camels, it will have to pick up its struggling offense. Tufts escaped Kraft Field on Tuesday afternoon, having dominated the Wesleyan Cardinals, but only scoring one goal in their shutout win.
Led by juniors Todd Gilbert and Mike Guigli and sophomore Ben Castelot, the squad will look to capitalize on more opportunities in its final game of the regular season.
Ferrigno has no plans in practice this week to work on the Jumbos' ability to finish scoring opportunities. Instead, he will just try to keep the team healthy and sharp and in high spirits.
"At this point in the season, practices I feel have to be light because you have players that are beat up and you've got the prospect of two games in a weekend," Ferrigno said. "At this point in the season, the players are at a good fitness level, and it's just a question of keeping them going so they are fresh and ready to roll when the game comes along."
The defense, held down by sophomores Jon Glass and Aaron Nass, shouldn't have a difficult time against the Camel's anemic offense. The Camels have scored a mere eight goals this season in 12 games, having allowed 24 goals in that same span.
Senior goalies Scott Conroy and Matt Sullivan will look to shut the Camels out and give the Jumbos some much needed momentum if they were to make the playoffs.
"Obviously you hope your key players, when it comes down to crunch, will play their best or provide leadership to the supporting cast," Ferrigno said. "I'm hoping they do step up big and obviously I have confidence in them. They're all super lads and I know they want to do well and have worked hard so I think they will."
The Jumbos' season has been marred with inconsistency. The team looked sharp in early September with wins over Colby and Salve Regina, but couldn't prove that it was a real threat to NESCAC rivals.
"I've been here for 14 years and this is the youngest team I've ever had," Ferrigno said. "Entering the Wesleyan game on Tuesday, we started six freshmen on the field against a good team that is very senior dominated. I think there is obviously ability and potential on this team but there is going to be inconsistency because we are so young and don't have a lot of previous varsity experience."
However, the playoffs are a completely new season. If the squad gets by Conn. College on Saturday, the first round of the playoffs will begin for them on Sunday, with the squad having to travel to its first round opponent.
"The positives are it keeps us together as a team," Ferrigno said. "We know we're going to have to travel so I don't think that will be a big issue."
The squad will be facing Middlebury, Amherst, Williams or Bowdoin, based on this weekend's results.
The Jumbos, in one of the high points of their season, traveled to Brunswick, Maine to defeat Bowdoin 3-2. They also played competitive matches against each of the other three teams.
"If we do end up getting a run, that's great," Ferrigno said. "But I think what we've been through this season was inevitable, I don't think there was any other way."
But for now, the Jumbos have one focus: Saturday's game against Connecticut College. Game time is at Kraft Field at 11 a.m.
