MEDFORD, MA. – With nearly three quarters of the match underway, the Wesleyan men's soccer team put to bed the dreams of a No. 22 Tufts University shutout, tallying a 1-1 NESCAC draw on Saturday afternoon as Sam Wheeler '27 scored the game-tying goal from Tufts' Bello Field.

The Jumbos jumped the Cardinals from the get-go, forcing the Cardinals to defend as they were unable to clear the midfield to gain much traction. While the Jumbos controlled the pace and were the first to the board with a goal, the Cardinals' defense allowed just six total shots in the first half. Henry Brown notched the goal with just over 10 minutes of clock run from the opening kickoff.

With 10 minutes remaining in the first 45, Yousuf Saeed '27 hit a cross to Connor Watson '29, Watson's shot on Jumbos goaltender Nikola Antic bounced off the crossbar and fell out of bounds.

Following the Jumbos' opening goal, the Cardinals were quick to their feet, gaining ground on the attack while breaking down another top tier defense. 18 minutes into the second half, the Jumbos nearly took a two-goal lead as an awarded free kick hit the crossbar above Mathis Blanc '26.  

As the clock hit the 73^rd minute on the dot, the Cardinals finally caught a break off the boot of Wheeler. Taking the long throw on the set piece, Joshwin Jennings '27 made contact with Dylan Clack '27 in the center of a scrum in front of Antic before the ball fell to the feet of Wheeler at the line.

In goal, Blanc finished with one save on two shots faced. Antic also cleared with one save for the Jumbos.

The Cardinals return to action on Sunday, Sept. 28, when they take on No. 7 Middlebury on the road at 2 p.m.