You Won't Believe How Jumbo Men's Soccer Shocked Everyone with a 7-2 Blowout to Reach NCAA Quarterfinals!

MEDFORD, MA (November 22, 2025) -- The No. 1 ranked Tufts University men's soccer team demonstrated resilience in their NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Third Round match against Messiah University, overcoming an early setback to secure a commanding 4-1 victory on Bello Field. This clash was particularly meaningful, as it pitted two of the most storied programs in Division III history against each other. Messiah entered the match boasting an NCAA record of 11 national titles, while Tufts had secured the championship four times.

The match began dramatically for the underdog Falcons, who struck first with a goal just 4:33 into the game. Davis Pagett showcased his skill on the right wing, delivering a cross into the box that Kyle Spodnik converted, giving Messiah a brief 1-0 lead.

However, the Jumbos refused to be rattled. They quickly found their rhythm, generating three significant scoring opportunities within the first 20 minutes. The breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Bargagna delivered a perfect cross to Henry Brown, who found the back of the net with his left foot for his seventh goal this season. With the score tied at 1-1, Tufts seized momentum.

Just before halftime, Tufts took the lead for good in the 40th minute, as Xavier Canfin netted his sixth goal of the season. The play was initiated by senior Mason Shultz, who skillfully maneuvered towards the end line and sent a flat ball to Henry Perkins, who then crossed it to a wide-open Canfin.

After the halftime break, Tufts wasted no time in extending their lead. Less than a minute into the second half, Canfin scored again, capitalizing on a defensive clearance from Messiah before firing a shot that sailed past the screened goalkeeper.

Tufts continued to apply pressure, with another goal coming just six minutes later. This time, defender Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das scored his third goal in three games, heading in the rebound after a powerful header from Ben Brown hit the crossbar.

Despite several additional opportunities for Tufts, they solidified their control over the match, limiting Messiah to just one shot on goal for the remainder of the game. The Jumbos outshot the Falcons 20-6, with an impressive 11-2 advantage in shots on target.

Henry Brown led all players with four shot attempts, while Canfin made the most of his two shots on goal, scoring twice. For Messiah, Patrick Lee managed three shot attempts, and goalkeeper Kessler Forrest made six crucial stops, but it wasn't enough to fend off the Jumbos' offensive onslaught. Tufts' goalkeeper, Nikola Antic, recorded one save to secure the victory.

With this win, Tufts advances to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time since 2021, improving their all-time record to 4-2 in the NCAA Elite Eight round. They will face Bowdoin College on November 23, 2025, at 1:00 PM, aiming for a coveted spot in the NCAA Semifinals on December 5 in Salem, Virginia, at Roanoke College.