The field hockey team is off and running. In a dominating performance on Wednesday afternoon, the Jumbos beat the Wellesley Blue 4-0 and upped their record to 2-0, not yet allowing a single goal this season.
Building on the momentum from last Saturday's victory over Colby, the team came out with intensity and hustle, and overpowered a patchy Wellesley defense for the shutout.
While led by commanding performances from senior tri-captain Dana Panzer and junior tri-captain Lea Napolitano, the team showcased its depth and cohesiveness, on the field.
With one goal, two assists, and 10 of the team's 24 shots on goal, Panzer, who did not score a goal last season, was an undeniable force on offense, although she was quick to highlight the teamwork involved in the win.
"We really played well as a team today," Panzer said. "Everyone's play made everyone around them better."
The game began as a back-and-forth struggle, with neither team able to take control as the ball hovered near midfield. Then, at the 10-minute mark, a strong offensive drive led by Panzer set up a goal by senior Jennie Sachs off the pads of the Wellesley goalkeeper.
Tufts continued to control possession but was kept out of scoring range by a series of referee whistles until back-to-back penalty corners led to a goal by sophomore Lizzy Oxler with five minutes remaining in the half. Panzer knocked in another score with a well-placed penalty stroke to the top corner of the cage with just over a minute left in the half.
As the game went on, the Jumbos' offensive line found holes and followed its shots. The fourth and final goal came five minutes into the second half when freshman forward Illeana Katz hammered in her first collegiate goal on a Panzer assist.
The new turf surface at Bello Field, which allows for more intricate stickwork and precise passing, gave the Tufts front line plenty of chances. This time it was able to capitalize on scoring opportunities in ways it had been unable to do during last Saturday's match against Colby.
"Offensively, we were just able to finish in front of the cage," junior tri-captain Jeanne Grabowski said. "We followed through and delivered."
Coach Tina McDavitt, undefeated in her first season as head coach, attributed much of the team's success to a high level of commitment consistency and everyone's to ability play a part, shown by the four different scorers in Wednesday's game.
"Everyone got in today," she said. "I love that I can go down my bench and put in anyone and know that the level of play isn't going to drop."
Tufts' relentlessness on the offensive end was bolstered by an equally intense defensive effort. Just as in Saturday's game, sophomore goalkeepers Marilyn Duffy-Cabana and Angela Rappoli split time in the cage. However, the aggressive play of the backs, as well as consistent hustle by the midfield to recover and defend in the circle, limited Wellesley's shots on goal, and each goalkeeper needed to make only one save.
By effectively blocking up Wellesley's free hits, the Jumbos stayed mainly on the offensive, and the strong play of Napolitano in center midfield provided the necessary link between offense and defense.
Despite some long runs down the wing by Wellesley senior Zana Previti, the Blue were unable to get off shots, and had only six penalty corners to Tufts' 10.
"These girls are great leaders - every one of them," McDavitt said after the game. "They work hard in practice, and we just put it together today."
Tufts now prepares for tomorrow's league game against the always-tough Middlebury Panthers, who are 1-0 in NESCAC play after a victory over Connecticut College.
The game will be a chance for the team to prove itself on the road and continue its winning streak. The last time the two met, the Panthers came away with a 2-1 victory in overtime.
