Yesterday afternoon brought another test versus a top team in New England for the Tufts women's soccer team. But unlike the previous games, the Jumbos passed this one with flying colors, earning a 2-0 victory over the previously undefeated and nationally ranked No. 13 Wheaton Lyons (7-1).
Tufts was coming off a 1-0 loss to NESCAC foe Amherst, which at the time was ranked fifth in the nation and is currently the third ranked team in New England. The Jumbos had also suffered a crushing 2-1 overtime loss in their first game to Middlebury, the No. 4 team in the region.
Similar to Saturday's setback against the Lord Jeffs, the opening 45 minutes of Wednesday's contest was back and forth. But Tufts took control in the second half and scored twice to deliver the upset versus the Lyons, who were also ranked second in New England, and bring its record back to .500 for the year at 2-2.
"We just came out really hard," senior Ali Maxwell said. "Everyone was stepping to the ball, winning the ball and once we got it trying to possess it and play to feet. Just take care of the ball and get some good scoring opportunities."
Maxwell delivered what would be the game winner in the 55th minute for the Jumbos after senior co-captain Cara Cadigan dribbled toward a defender and cut into the middle of the field. Cadigan found Maxwell with the pass, and the latter chipped the ball over the head of Wheaton senior keeper Lindsay Leddy to score the first goal of the game.
Sophomore Alix Michael would ice the game for Tufts less than 10 minutes later. Junior defender Sarah Nolet controlled the ball down the center of the field and faked out a defender before depositing the pass to Michael, who launched a shot from 30 yards out that found the back of the net.
For Tufts, it was a welcome sight to see its offense finally click. The Jumbos were also relieved to solve the second half woes that have plagued them for much of the season.
"I think today we talked about it at halftime, not just coming out hard in the second half, because that's always our goal, but specifically what we were going to do," sophomore Laney Siegner said. "So we avoided the 10-minute mental lapse that we have been having in the beginning of the second half."
The Jumbos also looked strong in the first half, keeping possession more effectively than they did against Amherst and spacing well in the midfield. A number of subs in the latter part of the half, including Siegner and sophomores Lauren O'Connor and Jamie Love-Nichols, ratcheted up the pressure on the Wheaton goal towards the end of the half.
On the defensive side, Wheaton freshman forward Cassey Muse gave Tufts some trouble, but a backline led by Nolet managed to keep the Lyons from getting any good looks on goal.
With senior goalkeeper Kate Minnehan stoning the Lyons on the few chances they had, the Jumbos were able to shut down a Wheaton offense that had scored at least three goals in five of its seven games.
"I think we just came out really hard," Siegner added. "The level of play was consistent the whole game; there was no let up as in the past, and we just played hard for 90 minutes, which was our goal."
Tufts had the best opportunity of the first half after Love-Nichols forced a corner, but a headed ball hit the crossbar and kept the game knotted at zero going into halftime. Though senior Jesslyn Jamison hit the post toward the end of the game, the Jumbos were able to capitalize on other chances thanks to their ability to control the ball in the second half.
Tufts' inspired play can be attributed to a pep talk from coach Martha Whiting; the players might have been dejected after starting out 1-3 on the season and facing another tough opponent, but they came out inspired and itching to prove themselves after their near miss against Amherst.
"[Whiting] just basically told us how we are all so lucky to be out here and that we always miss soccer when we don't have it, so now is our time to take care of business and play because it is so much fun." Siegner said.
Tufts will now hope to take the momentum from its victory and build on it when it visits Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon. The Jumbos are still searching for their first NESCAC victory, but after their dominance yesterday it seems that it is only a matter of time before that win comes.
"Obviously we are happy with the win tonight but we are not going to get ahead of ourselves," Maxwell said. "We are just going to look to Saturday and focus on that game."
Though the team remained reserved after the win, Tufts will take a newfound swagger to Middletown, Conn. thanks to its play yesterday.
"I think we take in a lot of intensity and a lot of confidence in ourselves because we have been shooting all over the field but not always getting the result," Siegner said. "Right now everyone is really pumped. Everyone is convinced that we can just dominate from here on out."
