On Tuesday evening, the No. 9 field hockey team traveled to Wellesley, beating the host Blue 2−1. The result marked the Jumbos' second straight victory on the road and their fifth consecutive win this season.
Tufts junior Kelsey Perkins kicked off the scoring early, and all three goals were scored in the first 24 minutes of the game. In just the sixth minute, a shot deflected off senior Lindsay Griffith, and Perkins corralled the ball into the back of the cage to give the Jumbos a 1−0 advantage.
"We were working together to bring the game back to basics, to focus on possession," Perkins said. "Our aim was to receive passes, look for openings and let the goals come as a result."
In the 22nd minute, sophomore Chelsea Yogerst extended the Jumbos' lead to 2−0, capitalizing on a poorly executed Wellesley clearance and catching the Blue defenders off−guard.
The two−goal margin would not last long, however. Just two minutes later, Wellesley forward Emily Lewis took advantage of a momentary defensive breakdown on Tufts' end. The junior snuck a self−start pass to senior midfielder Whitney Reid, who tapped it in for the Blue's first and only goal in the contest.
Wellesley, which was unable to capitalize on the only corner opportunity of the period, went into the intermission trailing the visiting Jumbos 2−1 despite an even 4−4 shot ratio.
The Jumbos, however, were unsatisfied with their own performance, one that they felt lacked intensity and did not demonstrate their true ability.
"Although we started off strong against Wellesley, with two early goals, [we were not putting on the kind of] pressure that we are used to," senior co−captain Taylor Dyer said.
In the second half, the Jumbos turned up the heat, and although their heightened intensity was not evident on the scoreboard, they outshot the Blue seven to one and were awarded 10 penalty corners, while Wellesley took just two in the final 35 minutes.
"All layers of our team, from the defense up, put pressure on the Wellesley defenders, and we were successful in controlling and possessing the ball," Perkins said.
Midway through the second half, the Jumbos saw six consecutive corner opportunities, but they were unable to score on any of them. The Wellesley defense resisted Tufts' scoring assault, and sophomore goalkeeper Brit Mscisz played her part, posting four saves in the contest.
The Jumbos also limited the number of looks Wellesley attackers got in the second period, and compared to the barrage they sent at Mscisz, the Blue forced Jumbos senior goalkeeper Marianna Zak to make just two saves in her efforts to preserve a slim one−goal margin.
"The game could have been executed better, but at the end of the day, it is still encouraging to get a win, no matter how you think you played," Dyer said.
Despite Tufts' inability to convert in the second half, the Jumbos felt much better about their overall efforts, although they also indicated that they hope to improve as the season progresses. Perkins spoke of the Jumbos' promising and cohesive team dynamic.
"We all gel so well on and off the field; it is a seamless transition," she said. "That's something that will play to our advantage as we face tougher opponents."
This weekend, Tufts will travel to No. 11 Amherst on Saturday, before hosting No. 14 Trinity on Sunday.
The Jumbos, Lady Jeffs and Bantams have one conference loss apiece, and the two NESCAC rivals are comparable threats to Tufts.
Perkins, however, expressed the challenges ahead.
"Amherst and Trinity have proven that they will be tough opponents. Playing on the road one day and at home the next will keep us on our toes," she said. "This weekend will be a good test and preparation for our ultimate goal of winning Nationals." Kate Klots contributed to this article.
