Tufts field hockey faced Middlebury last Saturday in one of the most anticipated games of the season. Last year’s NCAA championship game saw the Jumbos fall 2–1 to the Panthers in a closely contested battle, though Tufts had beaten Middlebury during the regular season. Needless to say, the Jumbos entered this rematch with an extra chip on their shoulders against the defending champions.
The first quarter was a display of defensive dominance for Tufts, with Middlebury unable to get a single shot off. The quarter ended scoreless, however, with Tufts unable to convert on three shots and two corner attempts against Middlebury goalkeeper Thea Rosenzweig, who tallied two saves.
In the second quarter, the Panthers’ offense put pressure on the Jumbos with four penalty corners and three shots of their own. Tufts held strong and finally converted the first goal of the game late in the second quarter against Middlebury goalkeeper Izzy Redzic, after earning a penalty corner when a previous shot hit the post. With less than three minutes remaining, first-year Eleanor Helm passed to junior Claire Casey, who drove in her fifth goal of the season to give the Jumbos a 1–0 halftime lead.
Determined to even the score, Middlebury had a strong showing in the third quarter, outshooting Tufts 10–1 and earning five corners. The Panthers, however, were unable to get on the scoreboard, due in large part to senior goalkeeper Lydia Eastburn’s five saves in the third quarter.
In a tight 1–0 game in the fourth quarter, the Jumbos looked to create breathing room with another goal — and did just that. Helm, who had assisted on the opening goal, scored with 11 minutes and 38 seconds remaining after sophomore midfielder Ellie Wilkins maneuvered past a defender and set her up for a deflection. First-year midfielder Ruby Pearson was also crucial to the play, delivering a long pass from near midfield to Wilkins outside the right edge of the circle.
Middlebury refused to back down, taking advantage of Tufts being a player short due to a green card and scoring their first and only goal of the game with 8 minutes and 31 seconds left on the clock. The Panthers kept up the pressure, earning five more penalty corners and firing five additional shots in the final segment of the game. The Jumbos’ defense held firm behind two more saves from Eastburn — who finished with eight — and a defensive save from senior midfielder Camille Clarke.
The 2–1 finish marked Tufts’ eighth consecutive win, pushing the Jumbos to an 11–2 overall record and an 8–1 record in conference play.
“We have the saying that our most important game is our next one. Really just taking each game as we go and not thinking too far into the future has really helped us. Everyone on the team is so motivated and constantly improving so honestly every game we get better and harder to beat,” Helm wrote in a message to the Daily.
Tufts eked out the victory and earned revenge for its loss in last year’s championship, despite a 21–9 disadvantage in shots and a 10–6 disadvantage in shots on goal. Middlebury also finished the game with 15 corner attempts, 14 of which Tufts successfully defended.
“I obviously wasn’t here last year when the team played in the national championship, but it was obvious that the game was personal to everyone on the team. The potential to beat [Middlebury] at [Middlebury], on their senior day, after losing to them in such a big way meant so much to everyone,” Helm wrote.
Tufts is now the No. 5 field hockey team in NCAA Division III and No.1 in the NESCAC, and is poised to make another deep postseason run.
“Being able to clinch the [No.] 1 seed was huge. Getting to host NESCACs for the first time in a while makes a big difference. We’ll be playing at home for all our games, and not having to travel is such an advantage going into those big games,” Helm wrote.
