The women's soccer team knows that it can never take the beginning of its schedule for granted. Since 2004, the Jumbos have opened their season with a one-two punch of Colby and Wheaton in what have been two of the team's tougher games of the regular season. The three Tufts teams finished a combined 31-12-7 in those three seasons, but went 1-3-2 in the two opening games.
The Jumbos finally broke one cycle with a 2-0 win over Colby on Saturday.
They have a chance to tackle the other when they face Wheaton tomorrow on Kraft Field.
In 2004 Wheaton emerged with a 2-0 win; in 2005, Tufts won both matchups, the bigger of the two being a come-from-behind 5-2 win in the NCAA sectionals; and in 2006, Wheaton won again, 1-0.
"We have a great rivalry with Wheaton," senior Joelle Emery said. "We always open our season with possibly the four hardest games we play. It really tests the team and how hard we're willing to work."
Although the two squads have come to know each other intimately over the past few years, the Lyons may have a slightly different look this time around. The team only graduated one senior after last season, but has added nine freshmen to its roster.
"We don't generally come up with a new game plan for certain teams," senior co-captain Martha Furtek said. "If we play our game, we will beat the teams we should beat. [Wheaton] moves the ball quickly and they have a fast team, but we're feeling good."
The group passed its first test of the season against Colby on Saturday, and although tomorrow's game against the Lyons is non-conference, it is important in getting the team on track early on in the season. Last season Tufts followed its loss to Wheaton with another loss and a tie, unable to notch a win until the second week of the season.
This time around, the Jumbos are hoping they've learned their lesson.
"You just have to take one game at a time and always give 100 percent," senior co-captain Annie Benedict said. "Obviously they'll be tough, but we just need to come out strong - it doesn't matter who it's against."
