Teams: Men's Soccer: Schedule & Results

JUMBOS PLAY TO 0-0 TIE AT BATES IN NESCAC ACTION

COLLEGE MEN'S SOCCER FINAL SCORE
Tufts 0, Bates 0  (2ot)

At Lewiston, ME
Saturday, October 3, 2009

Game Box Score

The shutout was the seventh of goalie Pat Tonelli's career

LEWISTON, Me. -- The Tufts University and Bates College men's soccer teams battled to a scoreless deadlock through two overtimes on Saturday and settled for a 0-0 tie in a physical battle on a muddy and rain-soaked Russell Street Field.

The Bobcats (2-4-1, 0-3-1 NESCAC) and the Jumbos (1-4-2, 0-3-1) looked to be evenly matched throughout during this intense, defense-dominated contest. The statistics gave support to this as well, with Bates holding a slim 20-19 overall shot advantage.

Tufts missed a scoring opportunity in the game's most crucial play, in the 88th minute when a shot on goal went past Bates keeper Greg Watts (West Chester, PA), but was stopped by a Bates defender. The Bates player was red-carded for using his hands to stop the ball and an ensuing penalty kick was awarded. The kick by junior midfielder Naji Muakkassa (Jamesville, NY) went just high and hit the cross bar.

Senior Pat Tonelli (Andover, MA) had four saves in the Tufts goal to record the seventh shutout of his career. Watts recorded two saves.

Tufts played to a 0-0 tie at New England College last season. Prior to that, the last 0-0 tie that Tufts played in was on October 2, 1999 at Bates.

Tufts will travel to play at Plymouth State on Wednesday. The Bobcats will be back in action on Wednesday as they travel to in-state rival Southern Maine in a non-conference game.

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