MEDFORD, MA (October 15
th, 2023)—Tufts women's soccer battled it out on Bello Field in Medford, MA against an evenly matched Williams College Ephs, but fell short in their efforts to secure a late comeback, as the Jumbos fell short against the Ephs 1-0 after 90 minutes of NESCAC action.
Williams and Tufts entered the day with the same overall record at 7-2-3 with the Williams College Ephs ahead of the Jumbos by one win in conference play, accumulating a 4-1-2 record in the New England Small College Athletic Conference throughout this season, compared to the Jumbo's 3-2-2 NESCAC record.
Statistically, the Jumbos and Ephs were neck-and-neck all game. Tufts was able to match the offensive intensity of the Ephs, outshooting Williams 12-11 (seven-to-five on target respectfully) after a full 90 minutes of play. First-year goalkeeper
Gigi Edwards fared well in the game, stopping four shots on goal to keep the Jumbos within striking distance. Sophomore forward
Elsi Aires once again led the team in shots on goal, adding four more to her season totals (28) on the day. Williams was able to secure more corner kick opportunities, doubling the chances the Jumbos produced from the corner (6-3).
Williams secured the game-winning goal in the 55
th minute following a challenging entry pass from the Jumbos' defensive third. The pass came to the foot of Ephs' first-year forward Bria Abiatti at the top of the penalty box. The Jumbos' back line deflected her initial shot until an unlucky bounce rebounded into space taken by Meridith Tuntun as she slotted the chance home passed
Gigi Edwards for the first blow of the game.
Many of the Jumbos left their fingerprints on the game today, as Aires had a couple of near finishes from swerving shots taken from the left wing. Junior defender
Jordan Cushner was a wall for the Jumbos in the defensive line, clearing away any threat that came towards her direction with a fiery intensity.
Caroline O'Neill was a playmaker from the defensive midfield, as her vision opened opportunities for several of her teammates to produce scoring plays.
At the end of the day, the Jumbos fell short in a tightly contested and highly anticipated matchup on their home turf in Medford, MA. With the loss today, the Jumbos fall to 7-3-3 (3-3-2 NESCAC) and will look to bounce back from the loss against NESCAC giants Middlebury College from Middlebury, Vt next Saturday, October 21
st.
Live stats and video coverage will be available at
Tufts University - Official Athletics Website (gotuftsjumbos.com).
--JUMBOS—
Written by athletic communications intern David Cataloni
