After 2 years away from the pitch, Northeastern started the 2021 season on the right foot with a 1-0 win against strong rival Tufts A. The Jumbos move to 3-1 on the season as the Huskies take a 1-0 start and maintain high expectations for the season.
The Huskies came out fast in the first half, catching Tufts on the back foot. Several balls found holes through the center backs and led to near goals. Early in the first half, Ben Jacobson made a dribbling run down the flank, attacking Tuft’s right back and center back. Jacobson split the defense into the box and was taken down. Dan Ryvkin coolly slotted the penalty in what would be the deciding play of the game.
Northeastern’s wing play would continue to be too much to handle throughout the game. Dan Mattar gave strength to the right side of Northeastern’s attack, nearly putting one away himself. Landon Neal came on as a sub in the second half with a great setup cross from the left side, followed by a shot from Zach Aliyev that skipped just to the outside of the goal post.
On the defensive side of the ball, Northeastern frustrated Tufts for most of the game. Exceptional play from center backs Isaac Pastel and Henry Mouawad kept the Jumbo’s without any real chances through the first half. Northeastern wing back Nabil Chaudhry took one standout run forward late in the second half, taking the best shot of the game from the right side of the 18 and rattling it off the left post.
Despite low scoring and mounting pressure at the finish as Tufts tried to rally, Northeastern was able to secure the win and looks to take this momentum into league play.