OWINGS MILLS, Md. - In the absence of leading scorer and 2014 USILA Player of the Year Cole Bailey, John Uppgren totaled seven points, including three during a decisive 6-0 run to end the second quarter as No. 1 Tufts posted an 18-12 victory over No. 3 Stevenson Tuesday night at Mustang Stadium.

The Mustangs (3-2) suffered their worst defeat since a 16-10 loss to Salisbury at Mustang Stadium on Apr. 3, 2010. It was also the most goals they have allowed since a 20-10 setback to the Sea Gulls in the Capital Athletic Conference championship game on Apr. 20, 2010.

In a match-up of the last two national champions, the Jumbos (5-0) jumped out to a 3-1 lead with 11:26 remaining in the second quarter, but freshman Jonathan Thelen scored his first career goal just 24 seconds later before junior Matt Tompkins followed at 9:12 to tie the game at 3-3.

However, Uppgren scored the first of his five goals at 7:18 which sparked a 6-0 run for the defending national champions and gave them a six-goal halftime lead. Uppgren totaled two goals and one assist during the run while the last three goals came in the final 52 seconds.

Senior Taylor Morgan netted his first goal of the season to start the second half and the Mustangs trimmed their deficit to five on an unassisted tally by junior Stephen Banick at 14:07 of the fourth, but a 4-0 spurt by the Jumbos extended their advantage to nine with 10:25 to play.

Uppgren contributed a goal and an assist while Kyle Howard-Johnson added two assists.

Stevenson scored the game's last three goals with a man-advantage over the final 3:19 and finished the the game 5-for-7 on extra-man opportunities.

The Mustangs outshot Tufts 48-45, including 12-4 in the first quarter and 22-12 in the fourth, but Alex Salazar made 19 saves and the Jumbos totaled 51 ground balls compared to 30 for Stevenson while holding a 41-20 advantage over the final three quarters.

The Mustangs were also totaled 12 penalties for 9:30, but held Tufts to just 3-of-9 on extra-man opportunities.

Uppgren was one of five Jumbos to who totaled at least three points. Howard-Johnson had five with two goals and three assists while Ben Andreycak had two goals and two assists. Zach Richman scored three goals.

Senior Colin Dabney finished with three goals and one assist for Stevenson while Banick had two goals and one assist. Junior Ben Richards made nine saves.

Stevenson faces No. 5 Cabrini on Friday as part of the Greene Turtle Classic. Game time is at 8:00 p.m.