Looking Back (Oct. 6) | Field Hockey: Bowdoin 2, Tufts 1
The field hockey team faced easily the toughest Homecoming task of any Tufts team, hosting a Bowdoin squad that was ranked No. 1 in Div. III. The Polar Bears came into their matchup with the Jumbos 8-0, having averaged five goals per game and surrendered no goals the entire season.
Tufts could not come up with a stunning upset, dropping a close 2-1 decision at Bello Field. But the team did put up a stronger fight than expected, forcing Bowdoin to earn its hardest-fought victory of the season. The Jumbos were the first team to outshoot the Polar Bears and the first to score a goal against junior goaltender Emileigh Mercer this season. Tufts also secured seven penalty corners, the second most of any Bowdoin opponent in 2007.
In addition, the Jumbos are putting themselves in prime position for their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since the field expanded to 24 teams in 1998. Since its strong effort against Bowdoin, the team has already drawn national recognition, earning the No. 20 spot in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll that came out on Oct. 9. It marks Tufts' first appearance in the poll in over a decade.
Looking Ahead (Oct. 13) | Football: Trinity At Tufts
With the football team stuck in a three-way deadlock with Trinity and Middlebury for first place in the NESCAC, this weekend will be a pivotal one around the conference.
The Panthers will play host to the defending-champion Williams Ephs in Middlebury, Vt. Saturday, and in Medford, the vaunted Bantams are headed to town. Trinity has won 40 of its last 41 games, a streak dating back to September of 2002. They've scored a league-high 108 points in three games this season, easily cruising to 3-0 with blowout wins over Colby and Hamilton, as well as a triple-overtime squeaker over the Ephs in Week 2.
The Bantams are led by junior quarterback Eric McGrath, a second-year starter whose passer efficiency rating this season is a league-best 133.7. He also leads the NESCAC with 10 touchdowns. They graduated a superstar running back last season in Gennaro Leo, but they return with senior Jordan Quinones, a top-ten rusher this season with 181 yards in three games.
While the Bantams' offense is the league's best, they struggle somewhat to defend against the pass, allowing 210 yards per game through the air, fifth-most in the league. Senior quarterback Matt Russo will look to exploit that weakness for the Jumbos Saturday, as the crucial league showdown kicks off at 1:30.
