MEDFORD, MA (October 30, 2025) -- The Tufts University women's soccer team, who start its quest for the second New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) crown in program history Saturday, will host Wesleyan University in the 2025 NESCAC Tournament quarterfinals on Bello Field Saturday at 2 p.m. The No. 3 ranked Jumbos earned their fifth all-time No. 1 seed in the NESCAC Tournament, and will try to get to the top of the conference mountain for the first time since 2002. Tufts is coming off an emphatic 6-0 win over Bowdoin College on Tuesday evening, getting braces from both
Elsi Aires and
Reese Birch, while the Cardinals are coming off a 3-0 win over Conn. College Tuesday evening.
Game Details
Opponent: vs. Wesleyan University (9-3-3, 4-3-3 NESCAC)
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Medford, Mass. –
Bello Field -
Directions
Weather: Clear, Low 50s, Chance of Rain: 5%, Wind: W 15-20 MPH
Live Coverage:
LIVE STATS –
LIVE VIDEO
Jumbos vs. Cardinals All-Time
Dating back to 1978, Tufts is 27-11-9 against Wesleyan all-time though the Cardinals have held a slight advantage over the last five years going 3-1-1 since 2021. Prior to that, Tufts had won four straight but since 2010 the series has been very even. Saturday will be the just the third all-time meeting in the NESCAC Tournament for these teams, as Tufts holds a 1-0-1 record dating back to the NESCAC's first tournament in 2000. No. 4 Tufts knocked off No. 5 Wesleyan back in 2018, a 2-0 win for Tufts, while Wesleyan advanced on PKs 5-3 back in 2011 after the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Earlier this season, the two teams played a scoreless draw despite the contest providing nearly 40 shots and 13 attempts on goal. Molly Brumbach of Wesleyan and
Gigi Edwards combined for 12 shots in the game.
A Look At The Jumbos (12-1-2)
Tufts enters the NESCAC quarterfinals ranked No. 3 nationally with a 12-1-2 record, completing one of the most dominant regular seasons in program history. The Jumbos went 7-1-2 in conference play and were nearly flawless outside the league, sweeping all five non-conference games. They outscored opponents 35-6 across 15 matches, averaging 2.33 goals per game while allowing just 0.40. Tufts has won five straight matches and has not lost since mid-October, surging into the postseason with confidence and balance on both ends of the field.
Statistically, Tufts has controlled possession and tempo in nearly every contest. The Jumbos have taken 328 total shots compared to just 106 for their opponents, generating an average of 21.9 attempts per game. They've also dominated set-piece opportunities, holding a 127-35 advantage in corner kicks — a clear indicator of sustained attacking pressure. Their 10 shutouts in 15 matches reflect a defensive unit that limits chances while the attack consistently creates them.
Offensively, senior forward
Elsi Aires has been the focal point. She leads the team with nine goals and 22 points on 70 shots, converting at a .129 rate and providing three game-winners. Aires is currently Tufts second-leading scorer all-time and ranks 23th nationally among active career leaders in Division III in goals.
Reese Birch has complemented her production with seven goals and five assists for 19 points, while
Caroline Kelly has been the team's top distributor, posting a team-high nine assists to go with four goals. Together, the trio has accounted for nearly half of Tufts' scoring output and consistently drives the team's attacking rhythm.
The Jumbos' midfield has been instrumental in maintaining possession and creating opportunities.
Waverly Sumner has tallied six assists to go with one goal, playing a key role in Tufts' buildup play, while
Claire Brady,
Maren Jones, and
Emily Nicholas have each contributed multiple goals. The group's creativity and passing depth are reflected in the team's 37 assists on 35 goals, underscoring a balanced and unselfish offense that emphasizes ball movement and spacing.
Defensively, Tufts has been among the best in Division III. Opponents have managed only six goals and 48 shots on target all season, averaging fewer than one quality chance per half. The back line, anchored by
Anna Griffin,
Maggie Rogers,
Phoebe Marsick and
Lena Sugrue, has combined physicality and organization to protect the penalty area. Tufts' opponents are converting just 5.7 percent of their total shots — a mark that ranks among the stingiest in the country.
In goal,
Gigi Edwards has delivered an exceptional season. Starting 12 matches, she owns a 9-1-2 record with a 0.34 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage, along with seven solo shutouts and one combined. Backup
Greta Steege has added valuable depth, going 3-0-0 with a 0.40 GAA in limited action. Together, the goalkeeper tandem has posted 10 clean sheets, giving Tufts the lowest team goals-against average in the NESCAC.
Tufts has also shown remarkable second-half resilience. Nineteen of their 35 goals have come after halftime, reflecting strong conditioning and tactical adjustments from head coach
Martha Whiting's staff. The Jumbos have committed just two yellow cards all year, demonstrating discipline to match their intensity.
Whiting is in her 26th season with the Jumbos, posting a strong 256-131-51 mark, a .643 winning percentage. Tufts is 14-17-5 in NESCAC Tournament play all-time.
A Look At The Cardinals (9-3-3)
Wesleyan closed out the regular season with a 9-3-3 overall record and a 4-3-3 mark in the NESCAC. They've outscored opponents 32-7 over 15 matches, averaging about 2.13 goals per game while allowing only 0.47 goals per contest. This differential reflects a team that has balanced offensive punch with stout defense, positioning themselves as a serious postseason contender.
Offensively, the Cardinals have been productive and efficient. They've recorded 301 total shots (20.1 per game) and 143 shots on goal, converting at a rate of .106 (about 10.6 %) for the season. Further, they've generated 105 corner kicks versus 53 allowed, which underscores their ability to maintain attacking pressure and territorial advantage. These metrics suggest Wesleyan is comfortable with possession and creating chances.
On the scoring front, standout Maria Utz leads the way with nine goals and eight assists for 26 points, on 68 shots and 33 shots on goal. Close behind is Riley Buehler with seven goals and 14 points at a shooting conversion rate of .259 (14/27). Their production gives Wesleyan a go-to attacking duo, and the depth behind them (e.g., Meredith Feiner with four goals, etc.) has allowed the Cardinals to avoid over-dependence on one player.
The midfield and supporting cast have helped maintain balance. Players like Waverly Meyers (3 goals, 2 assists) and Rachel Katz (1 goal, 2 assists) have contributed to an assist total of 23 combined, again illustrating Wesleyan's passing and chance-creation ability. The fact that 23 assists accompany 32 goals suggests a strong team dynamic with good movement and shared responsibility.
Defensively, the Cardinals have been outstanding. Opponents managed only seven goals all season on just 148 shots — an average of less than one goal per game. The defensive structure has limited high-quality chances and allowed Wesleyan to be comfortable with controlling opponents. The low number of yellow cards (only four on the season) also reflects disciplined defending.
In goal, Molly Brumbach was the primary starter, posting a goals-against average of 0.47 and a save percentage around .903 in 1,156 minutes of action. Her consistency between the posts has helped the Cardinals confidently navigate matches and provided a solid foundation as they entered the postseason.
Wesleyan's season also shows marked trends in tempo and game management. They averaged roughly 20 shots per game while allowing under 10 — in fact opponents averaged 9.9 shots per game. That shot differential reflects how the Cardinals have controlled games for large stretches. Their corner kick margin (105 vs 53) further emphasizes their ability to sustain pressure. Additionally, their penalty kick conversion stands at 1-for-1 on the year.
Head coach Eva Meredith is in her 21st season at Wesleyan, posting a 141-139-51 mark as the head boss of the Cardinals. Wesleyan leads the NESCAC in shots on goal per game, and ranks second in goals and shots behind just Tufts. Wesleyan is 6-11-3 all-time in the NESCAC Tournament.
NESCAC Tournament Schedule
November 1 - Quarterfinals
No. 8 Wesleyan at No. 1 Tufts - 2:00 p.m.
No. 7 Bowdoin at No. 2 Williams - 11:00 a.m.
No. 6 Hamilton at No. 3 Middlebury - 12:00 p.m.
No. 5 Colby at No. 4 Amherst - 12:30 p.m.
November 8 - Semifinals
November 9 - Finals
--JUMBOS--
