By: Kevin S. Clancy, Beat Writer Tufts University
As the No. 1 New England Small College Athletic Conference team, Tufts Jumbos never trailed in their home opener against Colby at Bello field Saturday March 19, winning 16-8. They are 4-0 for the season and 2-0 in NESCAC play.
Jumbo’s senior Garrett Clarke hit the net twice in the first seven minutes and got Tufts off to a 3-1 start. Cillian Connor from Colby and Tufts Connor Bilby added two more making the active first quarter 5-3 a close match for the Jumbos.
The teams each got two goals including one by Colby with 40 seconds to go making it 7-5 at halftime.
Taking charge in the third quarter, Tufts had six different players strike with senior (Boston Cannon’s drafted player) John Uppgren scoring twice
. John’s quick change of direction from behind the goal literally left Colby men on the ground and diving over the crease flipped the ball by the goalie. The Jumbos out scored Colby 7-1 in the third period. Tufts led 14-6 heading into the fourth.
Colby scored the first two goals of the fourth by Max Cushman and Kevin Seiler. Colby Freshman Colton Michel at 6’2” and 190 pounds had a hat trick along with Seiler. Jumbo’s Co-Captain Ben Andreycak scored a pair to finish off the Mules 16-8.
It’s a treat to watch Tufts Conor Helfrich, (Denver Outlaws draft choice)
a face off specialist, go 16 of 25 with 7 ground balls. Tufts freshman goalie Ben Shmerier made his first collegiate start and finished with 13 saves. Jumbos outshot the Mules 51-33.
Kevin Clancy, Beat Writer Tufts
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