MEDFORD, MA (November 8, 2025) – Fourth-seeded Wesleyan University knocked out #1 seed Tufts University with a 2-0 victory in the NESCAC Field Hockey Tournament semifinals today at Ounjian Field. Sophomore Leila Feldman scored two second-quarter goals to lead the Cardinals.
Wesleyan (14-3) will now face Bates College in the NESCAC Championship Game at Tufts on Sunday at noon. The Bobcats advanced past Middlebury in a shootout 1-0 (2-1) in the other semifinal game at the site today.
Tufts (14-3), shut out for the first time this season, will await word on its NCAA Tournament berth. The national field will be announced on Sunday night.
A tightly-played first quarter saw Tufts and Wesleyan both earn one penalty corner chance and attempt one shot.
Wesleyan would gain an edge in the second quarter, scoring twice in a span of three minutes. On their third corner in less than a minute six minutes into the frame, the insert by Georgia Adams was set up for a shot by Brooke Miner. Kenzie Mauro faked the shot though, and Miner pushed the ball over to Feldman on the left. Her blast put Wesleyan ahead with 8:59 to go in the second quarter.
The Cardinals didn't take long to increase their lead. Adams passed to Meera Patel at the top of the circle and she got through the defense headed straight towards goal. She dished a pass left to Feldman who had an open side to tap it into and the Cardinal led 2-0 with 6:25 on the second-quarter clock.
Wesleyan goalkeeper Audrey Pace had just three saves in the game, but all were good ones including two key stops on corners. After the Cardinals had brought their two-goal margin into the fourth quarter, Pace saved a wicked shot by Tufts'
Claire Casey early in the fourth during a corner.
The Jumbos had the advantage in possession for the fourth, and earned four corners overall in the quarter. However, along with Pace's save, the Cardinals defended the three others and were able to blank the Jumbos for the victory. It was the first time Tufts has been shut out since September 7, 2024 at Williams College (1-0).
The two goals today gave Feldman 11 for the season. Wesleyan finished with small advantages of 9-7 in shots and 8-7 in corners overall.
Lydia Eastburn made four saves in the Tufts goal, including three in the third quarter.
--JUMBOS--
