Owls Set to Face #2 Tufts in NCAA Tournament First Round Game on Saturday

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State men's soccer is set to face #2-nationally ranked Tufts University in an NCAA Tournament First Round game on Saturday, November 16 at 5:00 P.M. from Bello Field in Medford, Mass.

How Both Teams Got Here

Westfield State finished the regular season as the second overall seed in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament, defeating Fitchburg State 4-2 in a league semifinal game to advance into the conference title game. The Owls then defeated Salem State 2-0 in the championship game, locking up the automatic qualifying bid from the MASCAC. Westfield has won four straight matches entering tournament play and are 9-6-5 overall.

The Owls are led by Westfield State Athletics Hall of Famer Dr. Christopher Streeter who has gradually improved the team's performance in each of his first three seasons as the team's head coach, reaching the MASCAC Championship game the last two seasons. 

Tufts enters the NCAA Tournament with lofty expectations, serving as a regional host site for first and second round matches. The Jumbos have yet to lose a game in regulation this season, posting an 11-0-5 record. Tufts received the top overall seed in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) after concluding the conference regular season at a mark of 7-0-3. The Jumbos were then upset in the conference quarterfinals against Bowdoin, falling in a penalty kick shootout. Tufts earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.

In the NCAA Tournament Spotlight

The Owls are back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2012 season where the Owls lost a 4-0 match against Dickinson College. In the 2000 season, Westfield advanced into the second round of the tournament after a first-round win over Roger Williams. The Owls are also back in the tournament on the 50^th-year anniversary of the 1974 men's soccer team – One of the most successful teams in Westfield State history who reached the NCAA Final Four. Overall, this is the tenth time the Owls have reached the NCAA Tournament.

Over the last decade, the Jumbos have been one of the premier men's soccer programs in the nation, winning consecutive National Championships in 2018 and 2019 while also securing national titles in 2014 and 2016. Last season, Tufts advanced into the third round of the tournament as the Jumbos were edged by eventual Final Four opponent Washington and Lee University in a 1-0 defeat. Overall, Tufts is appearing in their 13^th NCAA Tournament which includes a current run of ten straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

Tufts is one of eight NESCAC teams that made the tournament field.

The Owls and Jumbos have faced two common opponents over the course of the season. Tufts defeated Salem State (2-1) and Emerson College (2-0) while the Owls were victorious against Salem State (3-1 and 2-0) on two separate occasions while also losing to Emerson, 2-0.

The High-Flying Owls

After a mid-season slump, the Owls closed the season playing their best soccer of the campaign, winning their last four games while only suffering one loss over their last eight matches. At the center of the Owls success has been sophomore goalkeeper Luke Theroux (Chicopee, Mass.). Theroux, who was recently named to the MASCAC All-Conference First Team, has been a steady presence in net for the Owls, posting a 1.26 goals against average and an .804 save percentage in 16 games played. Theroux has also posted five shutouts with his most recent coming in the MASCAC Championship game. He also registered a career-high 11 saves to hand Bridgewater State their first conference loss of the season.

Senior forward Coleby Andrade (Falmouth, Mass.) leads the Owls with six goals and 15 points on the season. He scored twice as part of a MASCAC semifinal victory over Fitchburg to send Westfield to the title game. All-Conference second team players' Sonny Mazza (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and Charlie Anischik (South Hadley, Mass.) also figure to play an important role for the Owls on Saturday. Mazza has scored three goals and added four assists on the year while Anischik has switched to the back end of the Owls defense, scoring once this year as well.

A Jumbo Challenge Awaits

From an offensive standpoint, the Owls will be facing one of the nation's top defenses as Tufts ranks fourth in all of Division III with a 0.432 goals against average. Jumbos graduate student Max Clivio (Kingston, Jamaica) was named the NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year and is a critical piece to a Jumbos team that has allowed only seven goals in 16 matches.

Junior goalkeeper Nikola Antic (Waltham, Mass.) has started in 15 of Tufts' 16 games, recording a miniscule 0.41 goals against average and an .891 save percentage.

Graduate midfielder Liam Gerken (Pales Verdes, Calif.) was one of the Jumbos top offensive players, scoring four goals and tallying eight assists as a NESCAC All-Conference first team selection. Sophomore Xavier Canfin (Tarrytown, N.Y.) leads Tufts with five goals scored and was another all-conference honoree.

A Look at Buffalo St. and Thomas (Maine)

In the other match from Medford, Mass., Buffalo State faces Thomas (Maine) on Saturday at 7:30 P.M. with the winners from both matches advancing into the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. Buffalo St. received an at-large bid into the tournament after losing to #18 Cortland State in the SUNYAC Championship game. Junior Diego Rivera (East Meadow, N.Y.) leads the Bengals with 17 goals and 41 points. Thomas (Maine) received the automatic qualifying bid out of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) after defeating SUNY Delhi in the title game. Senior Joshua Joseph (Devonshire, Bermuda) leads the Terriers in goals (17), assists (14) and points (48).

Coverage

Visit WestfieldStateOwls.com for video, live stats, ticket information, and additional postseason coverage from Saturday's men's soccer NCAA First Round games from Medford, Mass.