MEDFORD, MA (October 30, 2025) -- For the second straight season and fifth time all-time, the No. 1 ranked Tufts University men's soccer squad will host the top seed heading into the 2025 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament Saturday, as they Jumbos host eighth-seed Bates College in action on Bello Field at 11 a.m. Tufts is coming off a 0-0 draw on Tuesday at No. 10 Bowdoin College, which coupled with Wesleyan University's draw to Connecticut College helped Tufts earn the top seed in the conference postseason tournament. Bates College tied Colby College 1-1 in the regular season finale.
Game Details
Opponent: vs. Bates College (7-5-3, 3-5-2 NESCAC)
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 11:00 A.m.
Location: Medford, Mass. –
Bello Field -
Directions
Weather: Clear, Low 50s, Chance of Rain: 5%, Wind: W 15-20 MPH
Live Coverage:
LIVE STATS –
LIVE VIDEO
Tufts vs. Bates All-Time
Dating back to 1975, Tufts holds a decided 34-11-8 all-time record against the Bobcats, having gone 14-0-3 against Bates since 2009. Earlier this season, Tufts got a penalty kick goal from
Daniel Yanez while
Ethan Jett also tallied in a 2-0 win for the Jumbos on October 11. Tufts outshot the Bobcats 18-5 in that contest, while earning eight of the game's 12 corner kicks. Tufts has played Bates just once in the NESCAC Tournament prior to this season, a 3-0 quarterfinal win for the Jumbos back in 2017 as Tufts was the No. 1 and Bates was the No. 8 seed that year.
A Look At The Jumbos (11-1-3)
Tufts enters its match-up with Bates sporting one of the most complete statistical profiles in Division III men's soccer. The Jumbos hold an 11-1-3 overall record and a 6-1-3 mark in the NESCAC, driven by a potent offense and a disciplined defensive structure. Through 15 contests, Tufts has outscored opponents 36-7, averaging 2.40 goals per game while conceding just 0.47, the lowest mark in the conference.
The Jumbos' attack has been balanced and consistent. Fifteen different players have scored, and the team's 36 goals have come on 264 total shots for a 13.6 percent conversion rate. Tufts is generating nearly 18 shots per game and holding opponents to just over eight, illustrating their control of possession and territorial play. Their 108 corner kicks compared to 43 allowed further underline their attacking pressure and ability to sustain chances in the offensive third.
Midfielder
Xavier Canfin has been the engine of the attack, leading the team with 12 points on three goals and six assists.
Henry Brown has been a reliable finisher, netting five goals on a .167 shooting percentage and converting two of his three penalty opportunities.
Henry Perkins has been another key piece in the buildup, matching Brown's 11 points with three goals and five assists, while
Daniel Yanez has added three goals and an impressive three-for-three mark on penalties. Across the board, Tufts' depth has allowed them to rotate effectively without losing production.
The middle of the lineup has also been productive, with
Gianluca Fallone,
Ellis Denby, and
Mason Shultz each contributing multiple goals and assists. Combined, that trio has accounted for 19 points, providing valuable secondary scoring behind the team's primary creators. Tufts has found goals from all over the field — defenders like
Mateo Bargagna and
Ben Ortman have each added two tallies, and set pieces have been a steady source of offense with 11 different players registering at least one game-winner.
Defensively, the Jumbos have been dominant. Opponents have managed just seven goals in 15 matches, and Tufts has held foes to a .057 shooting percentage. The team has recorded ten shutouts, including a 0-0 draw at Bowdoin and clean sheets against Amherst, Bates, and Middlebury. Tufts' back line, led by Bargagna, Bijan Akharzandi-Das and
Ben Brown, has kept opponents off-balance by limiting high-quality looks and forcing play to the perimeter.
In net,
Nikola Antic has anchored the defense with consistency and poise. Starting all 15 games, he has allowed just seven goals in 1,293 minutes for a 0.49 goals-against average, ranking 13th among the national leaders. His .781 save percentage complements Tufts' organized defensive structure, and the unit has allowed only 32 shots on goal all season — barely two per game. Tufts ranks No. 3 in shutout percentage in Division III, while it's team goals against average is seventh in the nation.
Tufts' statistical dominance extends beyond defense and attack — their game management has been exceptional. The Jumbos have scored 25 of their 36 goals in the second half, illustrating their ability to wear opponents down and finish strong. They've also drawn 15 yellow cards compared to 24 for their opponents, an indicator of the pressure they put on defenses forced to foul in transition. The team has been near-perfect on penalty kicks, converting eight of nine opportunities.
As the Jumbos prepare for Bates, they carry momentum from an eight-match unbeaten streak highlighted by wins over Amherst, Middlebury, and Emerson. Their earlier 2-0 victory over Bates on October 11 demonstrated the strength of their defensive organization and attacking depth.
Head coach
Kyle Dezotell comes into the weekend with a 60-10-20 record at Tufts, as his winning percentage of .778 is best all-time at Tufts. In his 21 seasons as a head coach, Dezotell has won 245 games and has posted an impressive 65.5 percent winning clip.
A Look At The Bobcats (7-5-3)
Bates College enters its matchup with Tufts carrying a 7-5-3 overall record and a 3-5-2 mark in the NESCAC. The Bobcats have put together a strong non-conference slate, going 4-0-1 outside of league play, and have demonstrated one of the more improved defensive units in the conference. Through 15 games, Bates has outscored opponents 25-11 and maintained a +14 goal differential while posting seven shutouts.
Offensively, Bates is averaging 1.67 goals per game on 14.9 shots per contest, converting 11.2 percent of its attempts. The team has recorded 223 total shots and 92 on goal, while limiting opponents to 160 total attempts. The Bobcats have also been productive in generating corner kicks, holding a 93–71 advantage in that category, and have found goals in both halves with a near-even split of 13 in the first and 12 in the second.
Senior forward Luke Cunniffe has been the offensive leader, pacing the team with 12 points on five goals and two assists while converting 17 percent of his shots. Chris Bianco has been a creative presence in the midfield with three goals and a team-high four assists, totaling 10 points. Lane Foushée and Antonio Mesa have added balance up top, each contributing eight points, while Wilson Smith has matched that total with three goals and two assists, giving Bates four players with at least eight points on the season.
The Bobcats' offensive depth has been key to their success. Tomas Alberola has chipped in six points from the midfield, while Noah Greiff and Hewitt Stevenson have both found the net to provide timely scoring. In total, 10 different players have scored for Bates this fall, and six have recorded at least one game-winning goal. The team's unselfish play is reflected in 22 assists on 25 total goals, highlighting a group that creates opportunities through movement and combination play rather than relying on individual finishes.
Defensively, Bates has been compact and efficient, allowing just 11 goals across 15 contests — an average of 0.73 per game. Opponents have managed only a .069 shot percentage, and the Bobcats have limited them to 10.7 shots per game. The back line has proven reliable, particularly during the team's shutout victories over Amherst, Hamilton, and Bowdoin. Bates' physical but controlled play has been reflected in just 13 yellow cards all season, among the fewest in the league.
In goal, George Nassar has been a steady presence and one of the top performers in the NESCAC this year. The junior has appeared in 14 games and played over 1,250 minutes, allowing just nine goals for a 0.65 goals-against average and an impressive .836 save percentage. His five solo shutouts and one combined clean sheet have been critical in Bates' success, including back-to-back shutouts in September against Amherst and Husson.
Statistically, Bates' discipline and organization have defined their style. The Bobcats have committed 197 fouls compared to 183 for opponents but have shown restraint, avoiding red cards entirely. Their lone penalty conversion came from Foushée, who is 1-for-1 on the season, while opponents have converted two of three opportunities. The team's ability to stay within structure has been a key factor in closing out tight matches — five of their seven wins have come via shutout.
After opening the year with a 5-1-1 start, Bates has faced a tougher stretch in October, dropping three of its last five while drawing Colby 1-1 in its most recent outing.
Head coach Ben Brewster is in his second year with the Bobcats, going 13-12-5 in charge over his two seasons.
NESCAC Tournament Schedule
November 1 - Quarterfinals
No. 8 Bates at No. 1 Tufts - 11:00 a.m.
No. 7 Amherst at No. 2 Wesleyan - 1:00 p.m.
No. 6 Middlebury at No. 3 Bowdoin - 12:00 p.m.
No. 5 Conn. College at No. 4 Williams - 1:30 p.m.
November 8 - Semifinals
November 9 - Finals
--JUMBOS--
