The men’s soccer team put up a valiant fight but came away on the losing end of a 2-0 match against Tufts University on Wednesday.
On a day in which the chilly wind whipped and the sodden turf gave way to cleats on the slightest cut, much of the game was played in the air.
Going against the wind in the first half, the Cardinals had a tough task containing a strong Tufts midfield which continually pressed the ball forward. Tufts’ only goal of the half came on an intended cross off the foot of Mike Guigli that sailed into the net aided by the stiff wind.
Even without starting left defenseman Justin Mello ’08 in the lineup, the defensive unit did an admirable job throughout the half. Chris Keeler ’07 started for Mello, along with Alan Ashenfelter ’09, Jared Ashe ’07, and David Baharestani ’08.
After the goal, Wesleyan controlled the run of play for much of the rest of the game. With Josh Stephens ’07, Noah Isaacs ’06, Peter Glidden ’07, and Ross Pemmerl ’08 anchoring the midfield, the Jumbos had trouble getting anything going for much of the second half. In his first start of the season, Pemmerl played smart and aggressive, winning several balls in the middle. Unfortunately, he had to come out in the second half with what appeared to be a groin pull after fighting for a ball on the sideline.
With the wind, the Cardinals were able to put pressure on goalkeeper Brian Dulmovits in the second half. In spite of several good chances, Wesleyan had nothing to show when a defensive breakdown with ten minutes left to play, led to a breakaway and Mattia Chason’s eighth goal of the season,
In the second half, Wesleyan out-shot Tufts 8-4, getting four shots on goal. One of those shots came off the foot of Matt Nevin ’09 from the left side, but his shot slid just wide of the far post. Dulmovits also made a great leaping play to punch the ball away from the head of Glidden off a cross.
Julian Canzoneri played in just his third game this year, coming in at outside midfielder in the second half. He has not seen much playing time this year due to a pre-season ankle injury. Canzoneri’s ball-control skills and confidence have been missed, though the players who have filled in for him have been more than worthy.
With the loss, Wesleyan ended its seven-game unbeaten streak and moved into a fifth-place tie in the NESCAC standings with Tufts and Bates. Their only hope for a first-round, home-field advantage is a win Saturday at Bowdoin and a loss by Tufts. The NESCAC playoffs begin on Sunday.
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