The team advances to sixth straight NCAA quarterfinal with 13–8 victory over Bates
Senior co-captain Cole Bailey and junior John Uppgren each scored four goals as the Tufts men’s lacrosse team defeated Bates College 13–8 in the second round of the NCAA championship at Bello Field on May 9.
The defending NCAA champion Jumbos now advance to the national quarterfinals for the sixth consecutive season. They host Amherst College on May 13 at Bello Field. The Lord Jeffs defeated Middlebury 16–10 in other NCAA second-round action on May 9.
Tufts led Bates just 8–7 heading into the fourth quarter, but outscored the Bobcats 5–1 in the final 15 minutes. The Jumbos improved to 18–2 with the victory, and have won 13 in a row at home during NCAA play.
The Bobcats, making their first NCAA appearance, ended their season at 11–6. They were led by two goals and two assists from sophomore Kyle Weber.
Bates led 2–1 after one quarter of play. Junior Jack Allard and Weber sandwiched a goal by Tufts’ Bailey.
Two straight goals by junior Garrett Clarke and Bailey put Tufts in front 3–2, but Bates freshman Clarke Jones netted his third goal of the season to tie the score at 3–3 early in the second. However, the Jumbos went on to score four of the next five to lead 7–4. Sophomore Zach Richman had two of the tallies. Bates closed to within 7–5 on sophomore Charlie Fay’s goal with just seven seconds left in the quarter.
When Uppgren scored his third of the game and 62nd of the season to begin the second-half scoring, Tufts led 8–5. The Bobcats scored twice in the final 3:18, and then just missed tying the game late in the third when Allard’s laser hit the crossbar.
The Jumbos owned the fourth quarter, outshooting the Bobcats 15–8, while Bates committed seven turnovers. Bailey and Uppgren both scored twice in the period to put Tufts in front 13–7. Senior Jack Strain scored with 3:33 left for Bates, but it was too little too late.
Uppgren added two assists for a six-point game while also causing two turnovers. Clarke had two goals and an assist, while senior Jeff Chang caused three turnovers. Senior defenseman Cem Kalkavan finished with two caused turnovers and three groundballs; linemate Blake Wood also caused two turnovers. Junior Alex Salazar made eight saves in goal. The Jumbos allowed just three second-half goals.
Tufts had a 54–39 advantage in shots, though Bates won groundballs 33–30.
Bates had beaten the Jumbos 12–8 at Bello Field on April 7, handing the number-one ranked Tufts its first loss of the season.
Tufts Sports Information Director Paul Sweeney can be reached at paul.sweeney@tufts.edu.
