Coming into the 2025 season as NESCAC Champions and NCAA runners-up, Tufts field hockey stepped onto the recently renovated Ounjian Field prepared to bring their game to the next level.
“We have talked a lot about what [it] means to be a great teammate and what it takes to be an elite level athlete. This is a new season with new players in different positions. We have a lot of talent and we are excited to continue to improve and compete,” Head coach Tina Mettera wrote in a message to the Daily.
As the No. 2 team nationally, Tufts opened the season with a strong performance against Wellesley, defeating them 3–0. Tufts’ first NESCAC challenge was on Saturday against Williams.
“We knew Williams would be a tough, competitive matchup, so our focus was on playing our style of hockey: staying disciplined on defense, supporting each other all over the field, and making sure we stuck to the fundamentals,” junior midfielder Sophie Brants, who scored the lone goal in Saturday’s game, wrote in a message to the Daily.
Last year, the Jumbos faced the Ephs three times. They fell to Williams 1–0 in the regular season, won 3–2 in shootouts during the NESCAC tournament and secured an overtime win during the NCAA semifinals. This matchup was perhaps the second most anticipated regular season game afterMiddlebury College, who defeated Tufts in the NCAA finals.
Williams applied pressure from the moment the whistle blew, setting the tone for what would be a quick-paced, back-and-forth game as both teams looked to penetrate the others’ defense. Despite possession changing quickly, Williams seemed to be in control of the pitch, repeatedly forcing the ball into Tufts’ defensive end. Midway through the first period, an interception gave way to a fast break for the Ephs, leading to a penalty corner where a shot by Ephs defender Pilar Torres was expertly deflected by Ephs midfielder Claire Golvin over Jumbo senior goalkeeper Lydia Eastburn.
In the first quarter, Williams had three penalty corner attempts and four shots on goal. Tufts’ senior forward Hannah Biccard and first-year midfielder Eleanor Helm managed to each get one shot on goal, but both were saved by Williams goalkeeper Ellie Smith.
Although the Ephs had the lead, the Jumbos were not deterred. Tufts stepped back on the field with even more focus and speed. Tufts managed to get the ball into Williams’ circle and sophomore forward Hannah Murray skillfully dodged past defenders before taking a shot towards the cage, which was tipped in by Brants.
The second half saw a continuation of the back-and-fourth game as each team fought to gain an advantage. Williams had taken five shots within the first five minutes of the second quarter, each unsuccessful. But with two minutes and 13 seconds remaining, courtesy of a goal by Ephs forward Kiki Higgins and an assist by midfielder Sienna Alday, the Ephs once again took the lead. Compared to Williams’ six shots in the second frame, Tufts had two as the Eph defense held strong against the Jumbos’ attempts to advance the ball.
Both teams went into the fourth quarter with increased intensity, as Tufts battled to tie the game once again while Williams fought to secure their victory. Less than four minutes after the start of the quarter, Williams earned their fifth corner of the game. The initial shot from the top of the circle hit the post and the rebound was collected by Williams’ Higgins who then sent the ball into the cage for her second goal of the game, taking advantage of the brief chaos.
Despite now being at a 2-point deficit, Tufts remained relentless, determined to get the ball in the back of the cage at least one more time. “No matter what the scoreboard said, we were focused on competing hard, making adjustments, and continuing to bring energy to each play,” Brants wrote.
The Jumbos continued to compete hard with four corners and four shots on goal in the remainder of the game; however, the Ephs defense held their ground. Tufts’ defense remained strong until the last moments as Williams had one more corner which was cleanly saved by Eastburn. A few moments later, the final buzzer sounded with a 3–1 decision. Eastburn finished with five saves in the cage.
“Our style of play is different this year; while last year’s success gave us momentum, we see ourselves as a new team with new strengths and dynamics. Our focus is on growing into that identity, staying connected on and off the field, and taking things one game at a time,” Brants wrote.
Tufts will hit the road and return to NESCAC play to face Colby College in Maine this Saturday.
