SOMERVILLE (Taken from the Tufts press release) - In a match between two of New England's top four teams, Tufts handed Brandeis its first loss of the season, 2-0, on Saturday at Kraft Field.
The Jumbos (4-1), coming off a stinging 1-0 overtime loss at Wesleyan on Tuesday, regrouped and controlled possession against a Brandeis team that entered Saturday undefeated on the season and ranked twelth in the nation. Tufts out-shot the Judges 17-7.
Brandeis was number two regionally and Tufts was fourth as ranked by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America New England poll on September 17.
Tufts' goals came six minutes apart halfway into the first frame. Junior Gus Santos (Framingham, Mass./Northfield Mt. Hermon), an All-Region player last season who had been held goal-less thus far in 2013, curved a gorgeous free kick into the right side of the net in the 21st minute to put Tufts up 1-0.
In the 27th minute, the Jumbos went up by two as sophomore Connor Brown (Bow, N.H./Bishop Brady) threaded a pass through the Brandeis defense to junior Max Hoppenot (Princeton, N.J./Princeton Day School), who put it to the left of Brandeis junior keeper Joe Graffy (Concord, N.H./Concord) for his fourth goal of the fall. Brown had been fouled earlier leading to Santos' indirect kick.
After out-shooting Brandeis 8-4 in the first half, the Jumbos maintained the possession advantage in the second half with a 9-3 shots margin. Freshman goalkeeper Scott Greenwood (Weymouth, MA) recorded Tufts' fourth shutout in five games with three saves. His best came late on a point-blank attempt by Brandeis' Tyler Savonen (Orleans, MA). The Jumbos have allowed just one goal in five games.
Senior Sam Ocel (No. Attleboro, Mass./No. Attleboro) led Brandeis' effort with three shots. Graffy finished with four saves.
Corners were 7-5 Tufts. This was the first meeting between the teams since 1997.
Tufts remains out of conference next as they travel to Plymouth State on Tuesday. Brandeis hosts Wentworth on Wednesday night.