MEDFORD, Mass. - First-year
JJ Ruehlemann found the back of the net twice, including burying the game-winning goal, for the No. 10-ranked Williams College men's soccer team during a 3-1 victory at No. 15 Tufts Saturday on Bello Field in the NESCAC opener for both teams.
The Ephs (1-0-1, 1-0-0 NESCAC) defeated the Jumbos (1-1-0, 0-1-0 NESCAC) for the first time since Oct. 19, 2013, and it was Williams' first victory at Tufts since Oct. 23, 2010. Sophomore goalkeeper
Kai Darrell made eight stops, with four in each half, securing his first collegiate victory.
"I am a very proud coach after the performance from the team today against a very talented Tufts' team," said head coach
Steffen Siebert. "We have a short turnaround now, so we will enjoy tonight and get back to work tomorrow to prepare for our game against Hamilton."
The visitors opened the scoring during the 25th minute, as sophomore
Alex Bethencourt placed a tremendous long through ball to Ruehlemann, who then eluded a defender and buried a shot into the bottom right corner of the net. Williams extended its lead to 2-0 in the 49th minute, with Ruehlemann generating the game-winning tally on a shot from just inside the midfield line that floated over the goalkeeper's head, assisted by junior
Kellan Grace.
During the 75th minute of action, sophomore
Ben Brown tallied his third collegiate goal, and then Henry Brown scored for the Jumbos on a penalty kick in the 78th minute. Sophomore
Luca Ruta finished the game with a team-high four shots, while Ruehlemann and Bethencourt each registered three. Each team recorded 19 shots.
The Ephs will be back in action at Hamilton on Tuesday with a 4:30 p.m. NESCAC start on Love Field in Clinton, New York.
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