As the men's soccer team prepares for its game against Bates tomorrow, the players would be wise to take a look at recent history for an example of what not to do on Homecoming Day.
On Tuesday, the team defeated Springfield 2-0 to move to 4-1-1 on the season, the Jumbos' best start since 2002. That year, Tufts started its season 4-0-0 before a match-up with Bates in the team's Homecoming match. Despite heading into that game ranked No. 6 nationally, the Jumbos were downed by a score of 3-0 by a Bobcats squad that failed to make the NESCAC playoffs. Although Tufts regrouped to eventually earn the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, the loss to Bates was a low point in an otherwise sterling regular season.
But while this year's Bates squad is 0-2 in NESCAC play, including a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of perennial powerhouse Amherst last Saturday, Tufts doesn't plan to take the Bobcats lightly.
"We haven't seen them yet this year, but I remember last year they had a really good forward and a good defender, neither of whom were seniors," senior tri-captain Dave McKeon said. "We can't have a letdown because everybody wants to beat the other team on their Homecoming."
On the other side, the Bobcats will be looking to avenge last season's disappointing 1-0 overtime loss to Tufts, which took place during Bates' own parents weekend.
"I remember it being their parents weekend, and when [Dan] Jozwiak [LA, '08] scored in the overtime, we had this big celebration," McKeon said.
For Tufts, the game will serve as both a salute to past Jumbo squads and a test of the team's true strength this year. Despite its winning record, Tufts still has the majority of its conference schedule in front of it.
"Right now we're in the middle of the table," McKeon said. "Williams is the only team with two wins. I don't want to be unrealistic, but if we play consistently, then we could be at the top.
"We had eight seniors graduate last year, so a lot of them and even some guys from the years before that will be coming back," McKeon continued. "We want to play well in front of them. It's always a loud, fun atmosphere, and this being my last year, it's big. It'll be a special game."
