The women's soccer team earned its sixth victory of the season on Sunday afternoon at Kraft Field, disposing of NESCAC-rival Bates by a 2-0 margin. The Jumbos have now won three straight games since another NESCAC foe, Middlebury, spoiled their bid for an undefeated season just over two weeks ago. They have also taken their last four match-ups against the Bobcats.
"We're back on a roll," freshman forward Jess Trombly said. "Especially the last two games, Bates and Colby, really helped us confidence-wise."
By virtue of the shutout win, senior goalkeeper and tri-captain Randee McArdle moved one step closer to tying the all-time Tufts record of 20 shutouts, set by Ellen Corliss from 1981-84. McArdle was forced to make just two saves on the day, en route to her fourth shutout of the season and the 19th of her illustrious career between the pipes. She now shares second place on the career list with her coach, Martha Whiting, who wore the gloves between 1989-92.
Tufts set the tone midway through the first half on Sunday, as senior tri-captain and midfielder Sara Yeatman put her team on the board when she scored what proved to be the game-winner at 24:05. Senior defender Carmen Mikacenic, the third tri-captain, curved a direct kick into the box, which bounced to junior forward Lynn Cooper. Cooper promptly touched the ball to Yeatman, who only needed to tap it in to beat Bobcat keeper Kim Martell.
Yeatman struck again a shade under 40 minutes later to seal the deal for the Jumbos and boost her team-leading goal total to four. Trombly fed Yeatman, who found the back of the net for the 14th time in her four-year career. Yeatman currently leads the team in scoring with eight points, (four goals), followed by Cooper (one goal, three assists) and Trombly (two goals, one assist), who each have five. A year ago, Yeatman, who was named NESCAC Player of the Week yesterday for her performance against Bates, scored just three goals the entire season, after missing four games with an injury
"She's been playing awesome," Trombly said. "She's all over the place. She scored both goals against Bates from midfield. There's such a difference when she's out there."
The Jumbo defensive unit again looked strong, allowing just eight shots and keeping the ball away from McArdle for the majority of the contest. The squad has given up just four goals in its seven games, and has out-shot its opponents by an impressive 113-39 margin. McArdle also boasts a 0.55 goals against average, which ranks her second in the NESCAC, behind only Williams sophomore Abi Jackson, who has played almost 300 fewer minutes than her Tufts counterpart.
"I really feel confident with the defense back there," Trombly said. "Not much gets by them."
The Jumbos head to Waltham for a 4 p.m. kickoff against Brandeis today. The chances for a record-tying performance by McArdle are promising; last fall, she did not even need to make a save as the Brown and Blue held the Judges to just one shot in Medford, on their way to a 2-0 decision
After today's match, coach Martha Whiting and the Jumbos will switch their focus back to the NESCAC, as they clash with Bowdoin in Brunswick on Thursday. Heading into today's game, Tufts stands at 4-1 in the NESCAC (tied for second place) and 6-1 overall, good for a sixth ranking in the most recent NSCAA New England poll.
