Despite lackluster conference mark, women finish year at .500

Despite losing nine women from last year's squad and having only four seniors, the women's lacrosse team refused to call this season a rebuilding year.

With an attack built mainly around first- and second-year players, the Jumbos fought their way to a 6-6 overall record (2-6, NESCAC) by winning their last game, extending their streak of .500 plus seasons to 24.

The squad began the season well, dominating East Stroudsburg University and Hamilton College on its spring break trip in Panama City, Florida. While the team didn't play its best lacrosse in the first game, it bounced back in game two and came home optimistic for a successful season.

"We played one of our best offensive and defensive games of the season against Hamilton; both groups were clicking very together, and it was even more amazing because it was so early and we had such a young attack," Coach Carol Rappoli said.

Beginning the season in full stride, the 3-0 Jumbos were clicking on offense and defense, and looked poised to fare well in NESCAC competition.

Tufts' winning streak came to an end as the team faced its first NESCAC opponents falling 10-8 to the Trinity Bantams. The pain of the first loss was followed closely by a loss to Bowdoin, leaving the team in an 0-2 hole in conference competition.

"Losing to Bowdoin and Trinity was definitely the low point of our season," Rappoli said. "It was toughest because we were in control at halftime of both games and we let both slip away."

Responding to the losses, the Jumbos rebounded with a dominating game against the Babson Beavers. Unfortunately the team's momentum was put on hold for nearly two weeks as a mid-season burst of winter weather caused spring sports to stay at home and wait out the storm. When it was over, the team looked as if it would pick up where it left off, traveling to Colby in search of its first conference win.

Unfortunately for the Jumbos, the game ended in a heartbreaking loss as the White Mules knocked in a last second goal to beat the Jumbos 11-10.

"The Colby game was a huge turning point in our season," senior co-captain Ari Kristan said. "We had a great chance to win, and if we had put the game away, our season would probably be a lot different."

The conference losses continued and, with a 4-4 record, the Jumbos' playoff hopes and streak of consecutive above-.500 seasons were in serious jeopardy. Just two days after falling to the Cardinals, Tufts traveled to Lewiston, ME, to face off against the last-place Bates Bobcats.

Determined to turn its season around, Tufts, behind a season-high five goals from junior Willow Hagge, controlled the game for 60 minutes to take an 11-6 win in a game which saw Tufts outscore Bates 7-2 in the second frame.

The Bates win was especially important for the Jumbos as it gave them that much more confidence heading into their most highly anticipated two-game stretch of the season against league rivals Williams and Amherst.

Despite being outscored 5-2 in the second half en route to a 12-8 loss to Williams, many players regarded it as the team's best-played game of the season.

"Williams is going to the NCAA tournament, they are one of the top teams in the country, and we played with them through the entire game," Kristan said. "It really showed the type of talent we have on this team and the type of lacrosse we are capable of playing."

Tufts also dropped its next contest to the Lord Jeffs 13-6, putting them out of playoff contention for good. The loss put the Jumbos at 5-6 (1-6, NESCAC) overall, and with one game remaining, in danger of breaking the 23-year-long streak.

But having no chance of making the playoffs didn't stop the team from playing its heart out in its final game. Tufts came out on top of a gritty game against Connecticut College on a roller into the net by Hagge to prolong the streak and end the year on a high note.

"We as seniors just asked the girls for one thing: to be able to end our careers with a win," senior co-captain Kathy Kenney said. "I told them that I'm going to cry no matter what after the game, and I'd much rather cry after a win. And we did it; I'm so proud of this team."