MEDFORD, Mass. -- The No. 4 nationally ranked Tufts University Jumbos scored once in the first half and once in the second half to defeat the Bates men's soccer team 2-0 Saturday afternoon.

The game began with little action as each team got used to the wind. Physical play from Bates (5-3, 2-2 NESCAC) was matched by Tufts' aggressiveness as the Jumbos (7-0-1, 3-0-1 NESCAC) would accrue 14 fouls over the course of the match. 

However, Tufts claimed its first goal of the day after Mati Cano got the ball on the left side of the box and won a corner in the 31st minute. Midfielder Travis Van Brewer sent a shallow cross that deflected off forward Max Jacobs' head across the box to Biagio Paoletta, who scored his second goal of the season.

The Jumbos created more scoring chances throughout the remainder of the first half, but they would find their second goal in the next half of play. Mikey Brady almost found the goal in the 47th minute, but his shot went slightly left of the post. The Bobcats finally found holes in Tufts' formation, and their best chance came when senior Freddy Hohmann (Bonn, Germany) found space in the box to put a shot on goal that was stopped by Tufts keeper Erik Lauta.

The Jumbos countered in the 79th minute when midfielder Derek Enge sent a through ball to Sean Traynor on the right-hand side of the field. Traynor went on to beat two defenders and strike the ball into the back of the net with his right foot.

Tufts finished with 13 shots and nine corners, while Bates had six and three, respectively. Lauta made two saves while earning his fourth solo shutout of the season and fifth overall. Bates first-year goalkeeper Bruce David (Pittsburgh, Pa.) stopped three shots.

The Bobcats return to action Sunday when they visit Trinity at 3pm.