Box Score Postgame Press Conference (Players)
Postgame Press Conference (Coach Dunshee)
Medford, MA - Washington College's historic men's soccer season came to a heartbreaking end in the NCAA Sweet 16 as the No. 25 ranked Shoremen fell in overtime against the No. 1 ranked (D3soccer.com Poll) Tufts Jumbos, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon at Bello Field. The Maroon & White finished with a school record mark of 15-5-1, their first Centennial Conference Championship, and picked up their first two victories in the NCAA Tournament. The Jumbos (15-1-4) will meet Connecticut College on Sunday in the Round of Eight.
How It Happened
- The Shoremen had the first quality scoring chance in the 13th minute as fifth-year senior striker James Strine sent a perfect cross into center of the box that resulted in a header by classmate Greg Adams. The attempt forced freshman goalkeeper Erik Lauta to jump straight up into the air to keep the visitors off the board.
- Adams had another chance with 25:20 left in the opening half but his blast from 15 yards out went wide of the mark.
- Tufts had their first scoring threat just a minute later after a through ball from the middle led to a break-away but the Shoremen defense was able to recover just in time to thwart the play.
- Junior midfielder Cole Gifford sent a rocket wide in the 23rd minute as he collected a rebound that was punched out by Lauta following an initial free kick attempt by Strine.
- The hosts nearly got on the board with 11:25 left in the opening half as midfielder Calvin Aroh gathered a bouncing ball in front of the net and then missed wide left from point blank range,
- Following 45 minutes of scoreless play, the Jumbos struck first in the 51st minute as senior defender Ian Daly collected a feed from classmate Mati Cano and drilled a winner into the lower right corner past Washington's Anthony Pinto.
- The Shoremen answered just over four minutes later with 35:36 left as Adams delivered a laser inside the near post from 15 yards out after a cross from the left-side by fifth-year senior defender Del Jenkins.
- Washington College had their best opportunity to win the game in regulation with 14:31 remaining. Senior forward Eric Gwadz had a clear path to the goal but was taken down by a Tufts' defender just outside of the box. The play resulted in a yellow card and an indirect kick for James Strine. Strine's attempt after receiving the ball back off the tap was just off the mark.
- The two-time defending national champions from 2018 and 2019 scored just 2:07 into the first overtime to win the contest. What looked to be an intended cross from the left-side by Cano managed to sail over the head of Pinto (5 saves) and into the corner of the net.
Scoring
WC - Adams (goal) from Jenkins (assist)
Goalie - Pinto (92:00, 5 saves, two goals allowed
T- Ian Daly (goal), Mati Cano (goal, assist)
Goalie - Lauta (92:00, 3 saves, goal allowed)
Notes
- Adams and Strine both finished with 10 goals and six assists on the season.
- The Shoremen yielded their first two goals of the postseason this afternoon, a span of five contests.
- Tufts held a 14-11 edge in total shots
- Tufts held a 4-3 advantage on corner kicks and committed 12 fouls as compared to six by the Shoremen.
- Washington went nine contests without a defeat before today's decision.
