Goal scoring can be artful, vivid and poetic. After glancing off the inner edge of a player’s cleat, the ball can be neatly curled, gently kissing the crossbar before settling into the top corner of the net. Other times, though, goal scoring can be ugly, scrappy and lucky. Still, no matter how a goal is scored, they all count the same. It was in the latter style that both Tufts men’s soccer junior forward Henry Brown and Wesleyan forward Sam Wheeler scored the only goals for their respective sides in a 1–1 draw on Bello Field on Saturday.
Saturday’s contest began with the Jumbos firing on all cylinders. They notched a corner kick and a shot on goal within the opening four minutes, repeatedly pressuring the Cardinals’ defense. Junior winger Xavier Canfin exploited the Wesleyan retreat, charging down the right wing before looping a cross into the 18-yard box.
Next, the aforementioned ugly goal ensued. Brown redirected Canfin’s airborne cross on target, but it hit the crossbar. Immediately, the ball was redirected right back at Brown’s head, after which it finally ended up past goalkeeper Mathis Blanc for the game’s opening score.
“It felt good to get on the scoresheet early, I like to think I’m a big threat in the air but all the credit to my wingers for getting me consistent service,” Brown recalled in a message to the Daily.
Brown has been a revelation for the Jumbos thus far this season. Having started eight of the squad’s nine games, he is the team’s leading scorer with four goals. Brown’s swift integration into the Jumbos’ squad has been downright impressive. After winning Liberty League Rookie of the Year in 2023 and Liberty League Player of the Year in 2024 at St. Lawrence University, the junior transferred into a Jumbo team that had gone undefeated in 2024 and waltzed right into the starting lineup. On his path to Medford, Brown turned down Division I offers from UMass Amherst and Lafayette College. Despite the unusual nature of his goal, it gave Tufts a launching pad from which to put more past the Wesleyan defense.
“The transition has been really smooth thanks to the people around me. The Tufts coaching staff has done an incredible job supporting me from day one,” Brown wrote. “My teammates have also played a huge role by welcoming me into the group and making me feel part of the family right away. That sense of trust and connection is a big reason why I’ve been able to find success and contribute with goals this season.”
For the remainder of the period, Jumbos continued their intense pressure, outshooting the Cardinals 6–3 in the first half, while the sides were knotted at two corner kicks apiece entering the break. While they were unable to capitalize on their further first-half chances, the Jumbos remained poised to close out the contest.
The second half began much like the first half ended, with the Jumbos pressing the ball and testing the Cardinals’ resolve. The Cardinals responded with a high line of defense, which created a backlog in midfield and a more physical contest.
After a barrage of fouls in less than 30 minutes, the Cardinals won a throw-in near the Jumbos’ net. Wesleyan forward Joshwin Jennings uncorked a Rory Delap-style long throw that met Wesleyan defender Dylan Clack in the box. After glancing off Clack, the ball settled in front of Wheeler, who nudged it past senior goalkeeper Nikola Antic and into the back of the net. With under 20 minutes to go, the contest was tied at one.
Seeking to see out the draw, the Cardinals parked the bus. In the game’s remaining minutes, all three corner kicks were won by the Jumbos; Canfin and Tufts sophomore midfielder Ellis Denby registered the only two shots. The physical element of the game continued to rear its head, as Canfin and Wesleyan midfielder Jacob Schindler were booked with yellow cards in the final 10 minutes.
Ultimately, the Jumbos’ efforts to squeeze out a victory were not fruitful. Despite finishing with an 8–3 advantage in corner kicks and a 9–6 lead in shots, the Wesleyan defense held strong, and neither side registered a second goal. Highlighting the physical character of the match, 20 total fouls were committed over the 90 minutes, 14 of them by the Cardinals.
“Wesleyan played very organized and tough. We had some good moments in the second half but in the end we just couldn’t get another to fall,” Brown reflected.
The draw with Wesleyan brought the Tufts’ NESCAC record to 2–1–2 ahead of their trip to Hartford, Conn., to play Trinity College on Saturday. The Jumbos have won their last 11 games against the Bantams, having not lost one of their matchups with Trinity since 2009. With the Bantams winless against NESCAC foes this year, the Jumbos will be hoping the match takes them into the top three of the NESCAC standings.
“The team has been extremely focused and level headed coming into the back half of the season. We know that the NESCAC is a huge grind and every team is competitive,” Brown wrote.
Despite his limited experience in the program, it is clear that Brown understands what the Jumbos need to do to emerge victorious.
“I believe we simply need to believe in our tactic, execute the game plan, and most importantly BE DAWGS,” he wrote.
