WELLESLEY – The Tufts University men's soccer team defeated Babson College 1-0 Tuesday in a thrilling double-overtime finish at Hartwell-Rogers Field in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Almost seven minutes into the second overtime period, Tufts senior Alex Ratzan (pictured) scored the game-winning goal in his season debut.


Throughout the first half, it was more of a

defensive battle as there were very little scoring opportunities for either team. Babson did have a great chance early in the game, just under three minutes in, on a header shot by senior Liam Hanlon that was saved by a diving Erik Lauta. The Beavers had one more opportunity in the first half when sophomore Samuel Kalishman fired a low shot from outside the box that was once again saved by Lauta. The Jumbos had possession for most of the first half, but just could not seem to get any scoring chances because of the stout Babson defense. They eventually got a chance with a hard shot by Aidan Welsh that was deflected just wide of the goal. Before the half, Tufts sophomore Woovin Shin also had a clear shot at the goal, but sent it wide left and the game went to halftime with a 0-0 score.


The tough defense by both teams continued in the second half as almost every time there seemed to be a chance by either team, their shots were blocked. Babson had a great chance in the 68th minute when they had a free kick from just outside the box. The Tufts defensive wall blocked the shot, sending it out of bounds. The first Jumbo chance in the second half came in the 72nd minute when Ian Daly collected a ball after it was bouncing around the box and took a shot on goal that was saved by Babson goalie Itai Rubin. To finish out the second half, Tufts had a couple great chances to get on the scoreboard. Shin put a hard shot from a distance just wide right of the goal in the 78th minute. The Jumbos' best chance of regulation came in the 82nd minute when Travis Van Brewer placed a corner kick right to the head of Biagio Paoletta, but it went off the crossbar before the Babson defense cleared it. Babson had the best chance to score by either team before the end of regulation. The ball was rattling around in the box after a long throw-in and three different Babson players fired shots at the goal, but every shot was blocked by the Tufts defense before clearing it, sending the game into overtime.


Much like regulation, there were not many opportunities in the first overtime period. There were four shots by Tufts and just one of them was on goal, which was saved by Rubin. Babson had one shot in the period that was wide right after a Babson player collided with Lauta.


Babson opened the second overtime period with most of the offensive possession, firing off three shots, none of which were on goal. In the 106th minute, Tufts senior Calvin Aroh sent a rocket of a shot towards the goal and Rubin made a tremendous diving save. However, the rebound was still loose in front of the net. Welsh tapped the ball and it found the foot of Ratzan who finished it for the game-winning goal.


Tufts had a total of 25 shots compared to Babson's 14. Tufts led in corner kicks as well with seven while Babson finished with five. Rubin had six saves in the loss and Lauta finished with three which all came in regulation.


The win brings Tufts to 6-0-1 on the year, continuing their undefeated streak. Babson falls to 6-3-0 on the year.


The Jumbos will host Bates next on Saturday in a conference matchup, while Babson will host Clark in a NEWMAC conference matchup on that same day.