Box Score MEDFORD - The 8-1-3 Jumbos conquered the 7-5-1 Ephs of Williams College with a 1-0 victory to remain unbeaten in NESCAC play. Gus Santos continued his hot streak scoring on a penalty shot in the second half, giving him his third goal in as many games, and his fourth on the season. Tufts now stands atop the conference with two NESCAC games left.
The Jumbos held possession for much of the game and created more scoring opportunities than the Ephs. Tufts' 17 shots on the day was just under their average of 19 per game, which leads the league. Meanwhile, they allowed just ten shots from Williams, who was far under their average of eighteen per game, good for third in the league.
Rui Pinheiro ignited the attack with his well-struck cross to the far post that was collected by Peter Lee-Kramer in the six yard box, but his close-range shot was stuffed by the oustanding diving attempt from Ephs goalkeeper Christian Alcorn.
Later, Lee-Kramer, known for his stalwart defense, continued to be a threat offensively when from just outside the 18 he lasered a shot that was well on its way to obliterating the netting, but it deflected off an Eph and went out of bounds for a corner. On the ensuing kick, Pinheiro targeted Lee-Kramer who made contact, but his header slammed off the crossbar. However, the ball bounced off an Eph defender and a corner kick was had once again. From the other side, Monil Patel struck a ball that found its way to Maxime Hoppenot's feet in the six, but his shot was launched over the goal.
The Jumbos almost broke the deadlock again when Tal Smith sent a nicely-placed ball to Santos at the top of the 18 and he blasted it on net, but Alcorn was there with another very athletic stop as he was able to tip it over the bar.
One of Williams' best chances came off a Matt Muralles cross that made its way through the box to the far side and a waiting Chris Conder, but he fired it over the net. Late in the half, the Ephs had another great chance to take the lead when Malcolm Singleton snuck behind Patel on the right wing while staying onsides. He received a cross field pass and drove at an angle towards goal, but Scott Greenwood came out low and big to make the save on the shot. The sides would go into halftime with zeros on the scoreboard.
Tufts continued to dominate the scoring opportunites in the second frame. Hoppenot, Connor Brown, and Jason Kayne worked together down the right flank with Kayne eventually finding some space after Hoppenot laid the ball off to him. His hard-struck lefty shot ricocheted off defenders' legs on its goalward trajectory so that Alcorn was forced to make the save with his legs as it had redirected from where he initially dove.
With 60 minutes gone in the match, the Jumbos found their goal. After a short corner, Patel to Pinheiro, Pinheiro passed it across the top of the 18 to a roaming Santos. He dribbled along the top of the box with speed throwing off defenders with fake shots until he made it to the left side of the box where an Eph defender challenged too aggressively, knocking Santos off the ball and into the air. A penalty kick was awarded and Santos rifled it home as Alcorn dove the wrong way.
During the last ten minutes, Williams ramped up their attack. Malcolm Moutenot lined up a low strike that was going wide but Luke Pierce redirected it at goal, however it had too much height and cleared the bar. A few minutes later, NESCAC scoring leader Zach Grady took a low near post shot, but it hit the outside netting.
The Jumbos D stayed tight and played very smart throughout the contest to help Greenwood record his sixth shutout of the season. Alcorn gave a standout performance, keeping his team in the game with his five saves.
Tufts is back on Kraft for a non-conference matchup with Plymouth State on Wednesday at 3pm.
Game Photos by Alonso Nichols / Tufts
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