WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. -- The rainy clouds gave way as a game that was balanced on a knife's edge turned in Tufts' favor after a series of runs by both teams. Tufts' quick transitions and crafty offense put together six and seven goal quarters in the second half to push them over the line and bring the Jumbos the NESCAC Men's Lacrosse Championship.
The Tufts University Jumbos (6-0 / 4-0 NESCAC) defeated the Williams College Ephs (4-1 / 3-1 NESCAC) 18 - 11 during today's NESCAC Championship game at Farley-Lamb Field.
After winning the first faceoff, Tufts offense threw shot after shot at Ephs' goalie
Harry Gahagan, but he proved to be their equal. On the other end, Jumbos' keeper Joe Theuer stopped Williams' first attempt on goal. The first quarter continued with both teams trading possession as neither team could put together a strong enough offensive sequence to break through.
A Williams timeout with 7:23 remaining in the quarter proved to be the boost that the Ephs' needed to take the lead; attackmen
Alex Park scored the first goal of the night at the 6:30 mark. After another series of Tufts shots were saved by
Harry Gahagan,
Tim Saffold netted another goal for the Ephs. Just a minute later,
Alex Park scored his second goal of the game off an assist from
Pearse Glavin. The Jumbos got on the board with only 18 seconds remaining in the quarter with a goal from Bryce Adam assisted by Mac Bredahl. The first quarter ended Williams 3 - Tufts 1.
At just 12:46 in the second quarter, Max Waldbaum put the ball in the back of the net to cut the Ephs' lead to one. Waldbaum scored another two minutes later to even the score at three. A Williams penalty provided Tufts with a man up opportunity and Cam Kelleher took advantage to give the Jumbos their first lead of the game.
When a Tufts penalty gave Williams the same chance,
Alex Park wasted no time completing his hat trick and tying the game. After a faceoff win by
Alex Kitt,
Zachary Romrell quickly converted the Ephs possession into his first goal of the day. After a save by
Harry Gahagan, Williams turned their defense into offense and
Pearse Glavin scored to bring the score to 6 - 4. Both teams had some promising developments, but the half ended with no more goals: Ephs 6 - Jumbos 4.
The halftime pause rejuvenated both defenses, who showed more of the tenacity seen the first quarter. A Williams shot that looked to be the first goal of the quarter was discounted because of a crease violation. At 9:29, Matt Treiber opened the second half scoring with a goal for the Jumbos. Mac Bredahl kept the momentum going for Tufts, who leveled the scoring after a goal from their season points leader. Bryce Adam scored another quickly after to give the Turbos the 7 - 6 lead with 7:15 remaining in the third quarter.
A minute later,
Michael Greenberg answered the Tufts scoring streak from right in front of the net. This proved to be a catalyst for another quick goal twenty seconds later from
Tim Saffold. Bryce Adams took advantage of an Eph penalty to score his second. Max Waldbaum completed his hat trick and scored the Jumbos' ninth goal of the night, but
Pearse Glavin returned with a Williams goal seconds later. The trading of goals continued as Jack Boyden netted another for Tufts. After a relatively defensive first half, the fireworks of the third quarter provided a new energy to the game. Tufts 10 - Williams 9.
The fourth period scoring was started at 11:08 by Tufts' Garrett Samuelson. Bryce Adam then scored the next two goals for the Jumbos who widened their lead to four goals. Proving that the Ephs' still had some fight left in them,
Alex Kitt won the faceoff and scored his first of the night for Williams. Tufts Bryce Adam responded by scoring his third goal in as many minutes and sixth of the game. Cam Kelleher kept the goals coming for the Jumbos, whose five-goal lead was the biggest of the night for either side. Kurt Bruun and Bryce Adam scored two more goals 8 seconds apart with three and half minutes left in the game.
Cory Lund, one of the Ephs most prolific scorers this season, netted his first of the game at the 2:28 mark with the Ephs a man up. The one minute mark passed and Garrett Samuelson scored his second goal of the day. Tufts, building on their strong third quarter, outscored Williams and the game ended with a score of Tufts 18 - Williams 11.
Tufts' Bryce Adam led all scorers with 7 goals while Mac Bredahl led all players with 4 assists. Williams was led by
Alex Park, who scored 3 goals , and
Cory Lund, who assisted on 2 goals. Each team used just one goalie with the Jumbo's Joe Theuer saving 9 of the 20 shots he faced for a .450 save percentage while Williams'
Harry Gahagan stopped 15 of the 33 shots thrown at him for a .455 save percentage.
Tufts edged Williams in the X going 17-33 led by Kyle Helfrich who went 10-16 on faceoffs.
Alex Kitt split his faceoffs 16-32 for the Ephs.
Alex Kitt also led the game in ground balls with 9 as the Ephs picked up 46 ground balls to the Jumbos 42; two Tufts players registered 6 ground balls.
After the game, Eph head coach
George McCormack said, "I thought this was a great game, I thought we were evenly matched...at the end of the game, they separated with some really good transition goals...it was very entertaining…[we] matched up well with one of the best teams in the nation." Commenting on the seniors, who played their final game in the purple and gold, McCormack added, "I've got nothing but great things to say about them. They did a great job leading...it takes special leaders and I think they did a great job and kept the team together."
The Ephs will await the NCAA DIII Tournament Committee's decision tomorrow night to see if they have any more games this season.
