MEDFORD - It may have looked like the #3 Tufts University field
hockey team was headed towards a convincing win against the
Wesleyan Cardinals in the first few minutes on Saturday, but after
a scoreless first half full of Tufts opportunities, the Jumbos
found themselves in a deadlock at 1-1 at the end of regulation. It
wasn't until over seven minutes into overtime that the Tufts
offense closed the deal winning 2-1 in extra minutes.
Tufts controlled the pace of play for most of the first half
with Wesleyan unable to reach their offensive zone but one time.
However, the Jumbo offense saw nothing but near-misses and
impressive goalkeeping from Wesleyan sophomore Tori Redding
(Gullford, CT) as they rattled off seven shots forcing Redding to
make five saves.
Tufts' momentum continued into the second half with a quick
break-away just after the intermission. Less than five minutes past
the break, the Jumbos earned a corner and senior Tamara Brown
(Annandale, VA) combined with classmate and co-captain Jess Perkins
(Barrington, RI) to put Tufts on the board at 30:05.
The lead would only last for 10 minutes though, as Wesleyan tied
the score at 1-1 at 20:04. Senior midfielder Jamie Thabault
(Colchester, VT) sent a hard ball to the left side of the cage
where sophomore Taryn Murray (Hudson, OH) slammed it into the
opposite corner of the net out of Tufts junior goalie Marianna Zak's
(Concord, MA) reach.
Wesleyan fed off the goal, continuing to pressure the Tufts
defense. Juniors Taylor Dyer
(Windham, NH) and Sarah Cannon
(Atkinston, NH) came up big however, stopping a series of Cardinal
attempts to enter the circle.
After four Tufts corners and several close calls, time ran out
with the score at 1-1.
In overtime, the Jumbos continued where they left off on
offense, but a tired defense gave up a penalty corner just over
five minutes into the period. Zak denied two consecutive shots for
her first two saves in two games though, and cleared the ball to
the offense who controlled the play for the rest of the game.
Two minutes later, Dyer pushed Wesleyan off the ball at midfield
and passed to sophomore Lia Sagerman
(LaJolla, CA) streaking up the right. Sagerman crossed the ball to
Brown who was waiting in front of the net and finished the play in
familiar fashion with a hard slap to the right of Redding.
Redding finished with 10 saves in the game while Zak made two.
Tufts held the advantage in shots 19-8, as well as penalty corners
8-6.
The overtime victory leaves the Jumbos at 5-0, and 3-0 NESCAC.
The Cardinals drop to 4-1 (2-1 NESCAC).
Tufts will return to action next Saturday when they welcome
Bates for the Homecoming Game at Bello. The Cardinals will host
Trinity on Saturday as well.
Game Statistics
#
