There was plenty to celebrate this past weekend on Ounjian field as Tufts’ No. 1-ranked field hockey team beat the No. 2, Middlebury, in a 2–0 victory, making it a perfect senior day. The win also established a record-breaking 16-game win streak for the program, continuing from last season. The Jumbos now have an 11–0 overall record with four games remaining in the regular season, a record that hasn’t been seen by the program since 2008. Additionally, senior goalkeeper Isabel Ginns put on a performance in the cage that earned her a NESCAC Player of the Week recognition — the second consecutive week that a Tufts field hockey player has received this honor.
This matchup between the top two teams in the country was long anticipated, as both programs have not only dominated the NESCAC conference but all of Division III field hockey. These two powerhouse programs have won the last eight national championships, Middlebury owning seven and Tufts breaking their streak last season. It has been two years since the Jumbos terminated the Panther’s notorious 43-game win streak.
Middlebury came off of the first whistle ferociously, getting two shots off within the first two minutes of the game. Both attempts were denied by Tufts’ defense, along with a penalty corner and a shot a few minutes later. The rest of the first quarter remained indecisive as both teams held strong. The second period started looking like it would be a repeat of the first. The Panthers controlled possession and had four early looks to cage, which were thwarted by Ginns, the Jumbo defense and the goal post. However, unlike the first quarter, Tufts managed to push their way into the Middlebury circle to earn a few scoring opportunities in the final minutes of the half. In the last three minutes, an impressive offensive effort earned two penalty corners and four shots on goal but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Middlebury resumed their possession for the first few minutes of the third quarter, getting a few more fruitless shots, before back-and-forth play ensued. With less than a minute left, senior forward Reagan Malo intercepted the ball near Middlebury’s goal, passing to sophomore forward Eleanor Helm, who earned the penalty corner. The initial shot by senior defender Claire Casey was blocked but earned the Jumbos another corner. This time, after the insert went to Casey, she passed back to Helm on the baseline, who expertly dodged a defender before sending the ball into the corner of the cage. Tufts took the lead with 15 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Tufts picked up in the fourth quarter right where they left off, relentlessly pushing the ball into Middlebury’s half. The sophomores once again delivered, with sophomore forward Scarlett Carpenter taking the ball along the baseline, dodging past multiple defenders to get in front of the cage and bringing the ball backhand to score cleanly around the Middlebury goalkeeper. The remaining 12 minutes of the game showcased the Jumbos’ unyielding defense as the Panthers desperately tried to match the Jumbos’ 2–0 lead. Middlebury had nine shots, all of which were either saved by Ginns or blocked and forced wide by the defenders. Ginns was a brick wall in goal, making five saves in the final quarter alone and nine total throughout the game.
Middlebury even pulled out their goalie in exchange for an extra field player a little more than halfway through the fourth. At one point, the Panthers were two players up because of a green card on Helm, but they were still unable to break through the Jumbos’ defense.
This showcase of Tufts’ incredible talent against their closest competition was the perfect way to celebrate the five Jumbo seniors: senior midfielder Katarina Villa, senior midfielder Lilly Ragusa, Malo, Casey and Ginns. Reflecting on her time on the team, Villa wrote: “The coolest part of my Tufts Field Hockey experience has been seeing our team achieve more each year, from reaching the NCAA Elite 8 my freshman year to winning the national championship last year.”
As first-years in 2023, the current seniors reached the Elite 8 before falling to Babson. In their sophomore season, the team won their third NESCAC title and made it to their fourth NCAA final, where they fell to Middlebury. Last year, as juniors, they won the program’s second NCAA Championship.
“Our success shows how hard work pays off and how each class sets a high standard for the next,” Villa wrote.
All eyes are on the Jumbos and their seniors as the regular season starts coming to a close. Remaining No. 1 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s coaches poll for the third consecutive week and with their undefeated record, one can’t help but wonder if the Jumbos will make a repeat of their NCAA run.
