Box Score
SOMERVILLE - Tufts University and Colby College traded goals in the final minutes, but it was the first score by the Mules in the first half that gave them a 2-1 victory over the Jumbos in New England Small College Athletic Conference women's soccer action at Kraft Field on Saturday.
Colby had the first scoring opportunity of the game as junior Annie Papadellis (Hopkinton, MA) was pulled down in the box in the second minute of the game. Sophomore Cami Notaro (Bethesda, MD) was unable to connect on the penalty kick however, as Jumbo goalkeeper Kristin Wright (Austin, TX) smothered the attempt.
The Mules kept the offensive pressure on through the early going in the half. In the 15th minute Papadellis broke down the middle of the field, took a lead pass from junior Crysti Tsujiura (Scarborough, ME) and drilled a low laser from the center of the field to the lower right corner of the net for the game's first goal.
Colby threatened to break the game open in the 81st minute as the Mules had three opportunities in the space of 15 seconds. Wright made two saves and the third shot clanged off the post.
The lead remained at one until the 83rd minute when Tsujiura took a cross from senior Kate Laxson (Wazata, MN) from the right corner and shot across the cage to the lower right corner of the net for a 2-0 Mules lead. It was Tsujiura's team leading fourth goal of the season.
Tufts pulled within a single score in the 89th minute on a penalty kick following a foul in the box by Colby. Junior Anya Kaufmann (Evergreen, CO) blasted the ball to the low right side eluding Mules goalkeeper Emily Brooke (Duxbury, MA). The Jumbos were unable to get another shot the reminder of the contest.
Each team had 11 shots during the game, with Colby holding a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. Brooke made five saves for Colby while Wright notched three for the Jumbos.
Tufts (1-3-1, 0-3 NESCAC) travels to Trinity for a Sunday 2:00 start, while Colby (4-1, 2-1 NESCAC) next plays at Husson College on Wednesday at 6:00 pm.
Match statistics
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