Though the No. 8 field hockey team took a two-spot skid in the national rankings after Saturday's loss to then-No. 10 Middlebury, it didn't play like a team down on itself in a 5-0 rout of Babson on Tuesday.
The Beavers, who have forced Tufts to struggle in 2-1 victories during the last three seasons, did not look ready for the obviously win-starved Jumbos squad, which gladly notched its first victory since Nov. 6 of last year. Tufts scored 53 seconds into the game and it seemed to already be over.
"I think we went into the game knowing what had to be done today," junior defensive midfielder Liza Wetzel said. "We came out and scored the first goal right away which set the tone for the rest of the game. Everyone on the team played a major role today and I think that not only helps to boost our team morale but also really speaks to the cohesive dynamic of our team this year."
That cohesive dynamic was definitely on display against the Beavers. While Babson tends to play a smash-and-run style, the Jumbos were able to control the pace for most of the game with their signature composed passing.
Further, Tufts was finally able to capitalize on its well-hyped advantage: the fact that there is no single scoring threat on the team. Eight different players across all grades and positions notched points for the Jumbos with no single player recording more than one. And, encouragingly, two goals came off earned corners — a relief after Saturday's frustrating 1-for-18 performance on those pieces.
"Our passing patterns and communication are crucial to our style of play," junior forward LiaSagerman said. "The earlier we get comfortable playing together, the more successful we will be. People were much more settled on the ball [yesterday], which was great to see."
It was easy for the Jumbos to be calm, though, as they racked up goals and Babson managed just one shot all game. Junior forward Missy Karp started the scoring, before senior co-captain midfielder Lindsay Griffith slammed one in for a 2-0 lead 10 minutes later. Just over three minutes before the half, freshman midfielder Maggie Chapman found sophomore forward Chelsea Yogerst in front of the net to make it 3-0.
"We always say, ‘Let's score in the first five minutes,'" Sagerman said. "We went out there and scored in the first minute. But more importantly, we had goals from five different players and really showed our depth as an offense."
The whole roster continued to contribute after halftime when senior co-captain defender Taylor Dyer scored only her second collegiate goal off a clean corner feed from junior forward Kayla Murphy to make it 4-0 at 24:40 to play.
From there, Tufts began to rotate in the bench to relieve the starting lines, but the reserves kept the pressure on and would strike one more time.
Sophomores Stephanie Wan and Emily Cannon combined for the fifth and final goal. Overall, it was a long overdue blowout for a team that seems to have revived the element that brought them to the national championship in 2008: teamwork.
But Tufts will need to improve on one thing before this weekend — its scoring percentage. Though Babson's starting goalkeeper, senior tri-captain Jess Pashos, was arguably the best player on the field for the Beavers, Tufts racked up 48 shots in the match but put just 22 of them on cage.
The Jumbos' fitness also continues to be tested after an exhausting week, as they prepare for a conference slate that includes two Saturday-Sunday NESCAC doubleheaders because of the addition of Hamilton into the schedule.
And NESCAC play is sure to be a completely different ball game. On Saturday, Tufts will host Wesleyan for its second league game of the season. While the Cardinals have never made much of a statement in the league, they can't be discounted. Wesleyan took the Jumbos to overtime last year and on Saturday held defending national champion Bowdoin scoreless until the 69th minute.
"I think playing [these past] two strenuous games so close together will really work to our advantage this year," Wetzel said. "We are improving every day and really starting to hit our stride as a team, and we're all looking forward to the great competition the NESCAC provides."
"It was great getting the win today and I think the energy is going to carry us through to Saturday," Sagerman added. "Every NESCAC team is really strong this year and I know our team is looking forward to our first league win after [this] weekend's result. A big NESCAC win always feels a little better."
