Jumbo Defense Clamps Down on Conn for Women's Lacrosse's First Victory, 11-5

Eliza Halmo netted two of the Jumbo goals

MEDFORD - The 18th ranked Tufts women's lacrosse team had its best defensive performance in a conference game since the 2005 season as the Jumbos defeated Connecticut College, 11-5, in their home opener at Bello Field on Tuesday afternoon.

The five goals allowed by Tufts were the fewest to a NESCAC opponent since the 2005 Tufts team won 7-5 against Connecticut College on April 2, 2005. Today, senior goalie Tess Shapanka (Sudbury, MA) made six saves and senior co-captain Meg Boland (New Canaan, CT) caused three turnovers to lead Tufts.

Offensively, the Jumbos (1-1, 1-1 NESCAC) were led by two goals each from senior co-captain Kerry Eaton (Norfolk, MA), first-year Brigid Bowser (Westborough, MA), and junior Eliza Halmo (Brunswick, ME). Tufts controlled 11 of 18 draws, with three collected by senior Collier Clegg (Evanston, IL).

The visiting Camels, who fell to 0-2 both overall and in the league, got two goals from sophomore Caroline Moore (Ridgewood, NJ). Junior Izzy Marx (Ridgewood, NJ) added a goal and two assists, while sophomore Lindsey Macdonald (Wayland, MA) caused two turnovers.

Tufts never trailed in the game. With the score 1-1, Bowser scored twice as a three-goal Tufts run made it 4-1 Jumbos with four minutes remaining until halftime. Camel sophomore Taylor Thomas (Needham, MA) scored at 2:18 and it was 4-2 Jumbos at intermission.

The hosts scored three of the first four goals in the second half to create some separation. First-year Caroline Ross (Sewickley, PA) made it 7-3 with 9:16 on the clock. Connecticut College twice closed to within three, including 8-5 on Marx's goal at 6:54. However, the Jumbos scored the final three including Halmo's with an extra man to cap it.

Finishing with a 26-19 advantage in shots, the Jumbos were an excellent 5 of 7 on free-position chances. They turned it over just 10 times compared to 16 by the Camels. Boland finished with five ground balls and junior Emily Wright (Richmond, VA) had four.

Junior Caitlin Cataldo (Orange, CT) made 10 saves in the Camel net. Moore, first-year Maggie Hogan (Arnold, MD), and senior Caroline Corbett (Norwood, MA) each totaled two groundballs.

Tufts hosts Babson at Bello on Friday at 5 pm. The Camels are in action next at Keene State on Friday at 3:30 pm.

Game Box Score

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