MEDFORD, MA (September 6, 2025) – Senior All-American Kiki Higgins scored twice in the second half to lead #4-ranked Williams College to a 3-1 victory against second-ranked Tufts University in an early-season NESCAC field hockey showdown Saturday at Ounjian Field.
The game was tied 1-1 at the half after Tufts sophomore
Sophie Brants scored the first goal of her collegiate career in the middle of the second quarter. Sophomore
Hannah Murray assisted on the goal for her first career point, stick-handling to maintain possession in the circle before firing a pass to the front of the goal where Brants deflected it in.
Junior Claire Colvin had given Williams a 1-0 lead 8:30 into the game when she deflected a shot by senior Pilar Torres during a penalty corner chance.
Into the second half, Higgins took a pass from sophomore Sienna Alday deep on the right side of the Tufts zone. She moved in towards the right post and put home a tough-angle shot making it 2-1 Ephs with 2:13 to go in the third quarter.
The Ephs built their margin to two during the aftermath of a corner attempt three minutes into the fourth quarter. A shot by Torres hit the post and rebounded out front. As both teams battled for possession, the ball squirted out to where Higgins could drive it into the cage for a 3-1 Williams advantage.
The Jumbos would apply good pressure later in the fourth quarter, earning four corner opportunities. During one attempt, Torres made a defensive save batting away a high ball. Tufts was unable to get any closer.
Williams (2-0, 1-0) finished with a 16-10 advantage in shots, and 6-5 in corners. Eph sophomore goalkeeper Ellie Smith made three saves in the winning effort, while senior
Lydia Eastburn stopped five shots for Tufts.
The Jumbos will continue a three-game homestand to start the season when they host MIT next Wednesday at Ounjian.
--JUMBOS--
