Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Written By Michael Douglas

CASTELLOT NAMED MEN'S SOCCER PLAYER OF THE WEEK

MEDFORD - Tufts University freshman Ben Castellot (Newton, MA/Loomis-Chaffee) was named New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Men's Soccer Player of the Week for the week ending October 11. The forward scored two game-winning goals in the week, as the Jumbos won two straight matches for the first time this season.

In Tufts' 3-2 victory over Salve Regina on Tuesday (Oct. 7), Castellot scored the first goal of his collegiate career on a header in the 56th minute to give the Jumbos a 3-1 lead. Tufts allowed a last-minute goal to bring the Seahawks within one, and Castellot's score proved to be the game-winner.

In Tufts' next game, Castellot carried the Jumbo offense, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Trinity in a crucial NESCAC contest on Saturday (Oct. 11). The game-winner came with the score tied 1-1 in the 73rd minute. With this offensive outburst, Castellot is now the second-leading scorer on the squad with six points on three goals, one point behind senior quad-captain Mike Blea (Albequerque, NM/Sandia Prep). Castellot is the second Jumbo to earn the Player of the Week award this season. Junior goalkeeper Scott Conroy (Madison, CT/Choate Rosemary Hall) shared it for the second week of the season.

Castellot was named Rookie of the Year (1998) and Baystate League MVP (2000), and was an All-New England selection (2000), while attending Newton North High School. The first-year student has yet to declare a major at Tufts.

Head coach Ralph Ferrigno's Jumbos improved their record to 4-3-2 and 2-2-1 in NESCAC for sixth place. Castellot and the rest of the Jumbos will look to make it three straight on Saturday (Oct. 18), but will have to travel to nationally-ranked Williams College to get there; the perennial powerhouse Ephs (7-1-1, 5-0-1 NESCAC) are currently ranked seventh in the nation. Action starts at noon.

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