When the Class of 2026 first took the field for the Tufts men’s soccer team, the world was a vastly different place. ChatGPT was not yet released, Queen Elizabeth II was still the monarch of the United Kingdom and Luka Dončić was still a Dallas Maverick. Despite all the turmoil, one constant has remained across the last four years — the Jumbos have continued to win soccer matches.
The Jumbos found themselves in a familiar situation on Saturday: ranked No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches Division III poll, as they entered a Senior Day matchup with the Emerson Lions. While paying tribute to the program’s veteran leaders, the Jumbos displayed a classic performance, trouncing the Lions 6–0. The victory was not unexpected, as the Jumbos had beaten the Lions in each of the three previous meetings between the two and were riding a five-game winning streak.
Despite the festivities, the Jumbos kept their eyes on the prize. “We wanted to treat this game like any other game on the schedule. Everyone was super focused and knew that we can celebrate our seniors once we get the win,” junior forward Henry Brown wrote in a message to the Daily.
The Jumbos controlled the game early and routinely threatened Emerson goalkeeper Asa Roberts’ net. They registered three corner kicks and four shots before finally breaking through 23 minutes into the contest. Senior forward Henry Perkins sent junior forward Xavier Canfin loose down the wing. Canfin slotted the ball back to senior defender Mateo Bargagna, who unleashed a 25-yard scorcher past Roberts to give the Jumbos a 1–0 advantage.
“Mateo’s goal was massive, when you play a team that sits back defensively, that first goal is extremely important because it fully opens up the game,” Brown reflected.
Despite the Jumbos registering four more corners and seven additional shots before the end of the half, the score remained unchanged going into the break. Less than 90 seconds into the second half, though, the Jumbos pounced again. Following a long throw-in, the ball bounced around in the 18-yard box, allowing Brown to steady it and unleash a shot into traffic. The shot squeaked in, giving Brown an unassisted goal and doubling Tufts’ advantage.
Regarding his goal, Brown remarked, “The goal felt good but my favorite part of the game was watching all my teammates succeed and run up the scoreline.”
The next 15 minutes saw no goals, but sparks flew on both sides. Bargagna and Emerson defender Carlo Carson both picked up yellow cards, as the Lions tried to claw their way back into the contest.
By the 61st minute, though, the dam began to break. Tufts senior forward Mason Shultz took the ball down on his right foot on the edge of the box after a scramble, before uncorking a low line drive into the bottom corner. Just eight minutes later, Shultz struck again, this time on an all-senior goal with an assist from Perkins. Perkins latched on to a line breaking pass, before having his shot saved by Roberts. Shultz pounced on the rebound, putting the Jumbos’ advantage at a seemingly insurmountable four goals.
Even though it was Senior Day, it was the first collegiate goals of two players that would finish off the match for the Jumbos. First-year midfielder Gianluca Fallone sent senior defender James Flagg wide down the right flank. Flagg centered the ball for Perkins, who sent it on to first-year defender Davis Novak, who was wide open at the far post to tap in the Jumbos’ fifth goal. Later, with just over three minutes remaining, sophomore midfielder Thomas Yanez stood over a free kick within the Emerson half. Yanez floated the ball right onto the head of sophomore defender Ryan Rizvi, who watched as his header greeted the back of the net. It was the first goal involvement in the careers of both Rizvi and Yanez.
“So happy to see Davis and Ryan get their first goals,” Brown said. “They both work super hard and have extremely promising futures.”
In the end, the Jumbos absolutely dismantled their opponents, outshooting the Lions 27–2 and leading in corner kicks 8–0. More importantly, eight different Jumbos registered a goal or an assist, demonstrating the depth and skill available to coach Kyle Dezotell.
The win brought the Jumbos’ record to 11–1–2, and 6–1–2 in the NESCAC, all but assuring them of the top seed in the upcoming NESCAC Tournament, the schedule for which will be announced following the conclusion of the Tufts season in Brunswick, Maine against Bowdoin.
“It is a great accomplishment but the job is not finished. We need to continue to train … and stay focused because we still have a lot of goals to achieve this season,” Brown concluded.
No matter the outcome of the remainder of this campaign, the Class of 2026, who has featured in the NCAA Tournament in each of their completed seasons at Tufts, should relish in the plaudits and appreciation they received from their teammates, fans and families. They’ve brought joy to so many at Tufts who love the beautiful game, and that’s something to be proud of, win or lose.
