The men's soccer team's offense came alive Tuesday, as the Jumbos triumphed over Rhode Island College on the road with a 2-1 overtime win.
Freshman defender and Newton native Matt Maloney scored the game-winner with 97:26 on the clock.
The Jumbos controlled the game throughout and had many great chances to put the game away. Yet it was their opponents that struck first, drawing first blood in the 20th minute when a well-knit play by the quick and skilled Anchormen attack led to the opening goal of the game, giving Rhode Island a 1-0 lead in its home turf.
"We dominated the game from the start," junior forward Todd Gilbert said. "But their first goal really stunned us."
Finishing opportunities resulted in a big problem once again for the Jumbos, who had 16 shots in the game.
The squad repeatedly put numerous passes together and created scoring opportunities but was unable to get the ball into the goal.
However, the team kept its composure to tie the game. Not long before halftime, the Jumbos earned the tying goal on an own-goal by the Anchormen defense after a scramble inside the 18-yard box.
Tufts was threatened several times in the second half, as the quick Rhode Island attack and slippery field conditions made it difficult for the Jumbos to focus on their defensive duties as the game wore on.
"Their forwards were fast and skilled," Maloney said, "and it was difficult to react to them due to poor footing."
However, both defenses locked down and as the buzzer sounded to end regulation, the score was level and both teams headed to their respective team meetings. The Jumbos, having lost 2-0 against Amherst the previous Saturday, needed a win to avoid their first losing streak of the year.
"We knew this was a must-win game," Gilbert said. "Especially with Homecoming next weekend."
And a win was exactly what the Jumbos got. After having many chances to put the game away early in the overtime period, the Jumbos earned a free kick 40 yards away from the goal and Maloney took matters into his own hands, or feet.
The freshman sent a flawless lofted shot, which soared over the defenders and Rhode Island keeper Jadon Neves, into the upper left corner of the net to seal the deal for Tufts with his first-ever collegiate goal.
"Earlier I had noticed that the keeper was playing far off his line during free kicks," Maloney explained. "So I thought that if I played the ball over him to the far post it would give us the best chance to score."
The win puts Tufts at 3-2-1 on the season, including a 1-1 mark in the NESCAC, while Rhode Island drops to 4-4-1.
The Jumbos will look to use the momentum from the contest when it comes back home this weekend for their annual homecoming matchup against Bates.
"We're pumped up for homecoming," Gilbert said. "Some of us are out for revenge."
Tufts men's soccer has had a history of Homecoming ineptitude over the past two seasons, with the squad dropping its past two Homecoming games to Bowdoin and Bates.
Tufts will look to the veteran leadership of senior captain Scott Conroy and classmates Matt Sullivan and Brett Wong to lead them to victory.
"The veteran players will have an important role during this game," Gilbert said. "It is a big game and the pressure is on."
