Williams deep-sixes Jumbos

For the field hockey team, Saturday was not a day to remember.

Tufts' attack was shut out, the Williams Ephs unloaded an offensive bombardment on the Jumbo defense, and the field hockey squad came home in critical need of a win to help right a faltering record and regain composure after a gristly 6-0 loss to Williams on Saturday.

The loss drops the Jumbos to 3-4 in NESCAC, their first losing mark in league competition this season, and puts the team at a disappointing 4-7 record on the year.

Williams boasted a host of heroes on its offensively happy day, with junior forward Krista Patrelli scoring three goals, senior tri-captains Molly Jennings and Tori Scott each netting a goal and notching an assist, and the defense not allowing a score.

The Ephs wasted no time getting to work, with Patrelli finding the back of the net twice in the first eight minutes of play. Tufts' disheartening beginning only led to more trouble.

"We were discouraged early when they scored those two quick goals," sophomore midfielder Lea Napolitano said. "It shouldn't have been a six-goal game, but we really didn't play very well after they scored so quickly."

To Tufts' credit, Williams was held scoreless for the next 25 minutes, with senior goalkeeper Julie Jackson ringing up six of her eight saves on the day, amid high shot totals by the Ephs.

The shot attempts continued to barrage Jackson, however, and with 2:39 left in the first half, Jennings slipped through a crowded scoring circle to find the back of the net, by the pads of Jackson.

Williams refused to allow Tufts back on its feet after the half, with Patrelli completing her hat trick unassisted just 28 seconds into the second frame of work. Williams would score two more before the end of the day, with freshman forward Katie Wilkes and Williams' scoring leader Scott each getting their names in the book with less than five minutes left to play.

Jackson played ten minutes into the second half and blocked two more for saves, before freshman Angela Rappoli came in to replace her for the final 25 minutes.

While the Jumbos knew the game would be tough, they also know they could have done a few things differently.

"Williams was the best team we've played so far, but we didn't play a good game," Napolitano said. "Offensively and defensively, we just didn't play well."

This is the second time the Jumbos have been shut out on the season. The first time came on Sept. 13 against Amherst, in a tough 1-0 game in which Tufts outshot the Lord Jeffs 24-2.

This loss was different, and it didn't sit well with coach Carol Rappoli, who didn't say much after the loss.

"She told us to come to practice on Monday, so that we can revaluate everything and see where we go from here," Napolitano said. "She really didn't say that much, there weren't too many words to describe it. We will have to come out and play hard on Thursday [against Wheaton]."

Rappoli, a fiery leader who led Tufts to seven straight winning seasons between 1994 and 2000, has taken the Jumbos to two NCAA tournament appearances, and coached them to the ECAC championship in 1996.

This Thursday's afternoon home game against Wheaton should allow Tufts an opportunity to gain momentum without much risk. The non-conference contest against the 6-8 Lyons provides the Jumbos with an opportunity to improve upon their 4-7 overall record, without worrying about the fallout from a NESCAC loss.

On top of working on their overall record, Tufts' is 1-4 in weekday games and the upcoming game grants the Jumbos a chance to work out the midweek kinks.