With sunshine in the forecast and no parents in sight, Homecoming Weekend 2006 already has an edge over the awkward drunk-brunch-with-your-roomate's-parents mudfest. The Bobcats are coming to town, bringing with them a 5-6 NESCAC record, and all four Tufts teams are coming off big wins at home, and are ready to master Bates on Homecoming (Oh, we went there)...
The Jumbos (1-2-2) are just beginning to find their stride, coming off their first win of the season on Tuesday. The team's offense has been slow to deliver this year, but seems to be turning a corner, and a history with Bates might be all the Jumbos need to come alive up front.
Women's Soccer
11:00, Kraft Field
Homecoming comes with a history at Kraft Field
The Bobcats (4-2) bring a deep offense to Medford, with their 16 goals this season coming off the cleats of eight different players. The defending NESCAC champions graduated seven seniors and bring an entirely different card to the table in this go-round.
A huge win over nationally-ranked Div. II Bentley on Monday night has the 4-2 Jumbos in the middle of a three-game win streak and itching to make it four. The Tufts defense have tightened up in recent games recording two straight shutouts
Field Hockey
12:00, Bello Field
Jumbos look for first four-game win streak since 2000
At 3-1, Bates is off to its best start in over a decade and bring a fit, aggressive team to Bello Field. But a defensive collapse last Saturday led to a 5-0 shamefest loss to Conn. College and the Bobcats may bring their wounded pride to Bello.
Tufts (1-4-1) has had a slow start to the year; in the words of junior Alex Bedig, it seemed that they were "finding new ways to lose." But no longer. Tufts snapped their losing streak 5-0 on Tuesday against Salve Regina, and will look for a way to get a crucial win to avoid potential statistical elimination from the playoffs.
Men's Soccer
1:30, Kraft Field
A battle of the Gregs: Tufts' O'Connel vs. Bates' Nelson as leading scorers clash at Kraft
Bates (4-2-0) hasn't lost to Tufts since 2000, and isn't in any hury. Watch out for Nelson; Bates' offensive go-to has found the netting in all but one of the Bobcats' six games so far. And junior Aaron Schleicher has stood much taller than 5'7," listing to record three shutouts in goal this season.
Last week, the Jumbos (1-0) had a season-opening welcoming gift for the Hamilton Continentals--five interceptions, four sacks, just 48 rushing yards, and a 17-0 blowout. Can they make it a double? If our Magic 8 Ball is right, and if the Jumbos return the bone-crushing defense to the gridiron, then all signs point to yes.
Football
1:00, Zimman Field
Tufts looks for win number two; Bobcats, for redemption
The Bobcats (0-1) were annihilated by Amherst in their season opener, run into the ground by the Lord Jeffs' offense and falling 31-6. The Bobcats' strength is their secondary, but a sluggish running game and an erratic Brandon Colon at QB may prove to be the Bobcats' downfall against a superb Tufts defense.
