Box Score
Recap courtesy of Wesleyan University
MIDDLETOWN, CT - In a game characterized by outstanding goaltending, strong defensive plays and some missed golden opportunities, Tufts did not let what was likely the last clear scoring chance in the game go by as the Jumbos moved up field after gaining possession in its own end with 45 seconds left in the second overtime and converted at the other end with 25 seconds left for a 1-0 women's soccer win over Wesleyan in a NESCAC battle here today.
Tufts first-year Brooke Fortin (Bow, NH) launched a hard shot from 25 yards out on a slight angle from the left side and banged the shot squarely off the middle of the crossbar. The rebound went to classmate Robin Estus (Houston, TX) at the top of the box slightly in the right and her lofted shot just eluded the outstretched arm of Wesleyan junior keeper Jessica Tollman for the game-winner.
Tollman finished the game with 13 saves, the second-highest figure among her 32 career starts. Her best, a 17-save effort, also came against Tufts in 2011 in a NESCAC tournament game that went through two overtimes. The goal for Estus was the first of her career, going along with one assist this season.
Tufts senior goalie Kristin Wright (Austin, TX), making her second start of the season, made six stops, none bigger than the one she made midway through the second overtime as she dove to her right and grabbed a ball off the head of Cardinal sophomore Madeline Keane after a corner kick by junior Katy Hardt. Wesleyan also hit a pair of crossbars, one in each half, and had another great chance in the first half, only to be stopped by a diving save from Wright. Tollman was equally excellent in net, stopping half a dozen well-place Jumbo shots that were destined for the back of the net.
Tufts owned the second half, outshooting Wesleyan, 11-1. Tufts had a 9-6 margin in the first half while the Cardinals produced a 5-2 edge in the first overtime. Tufts had a slender 4-3 margin in the final frame, giving the Jumbos an overall 26-15 shot differential.
This was the 10th overtime game in the all-time series between the teams with Tufts winning three, losing one and six ending in a deadlock. Three of the last five meetings have gone extra time and neither team has scored more than one goal against the other in the last six encounters. Tufts holds a 22-7-6 series lead and is 6-1-2 in the most recent nine contests. Wesleyan took the 2012 battle, 1-0, ending a seven-game winless streak vs. the Jumbos.
Next up for Wesleyan is a trip to Hamilton Saturday for a NESCAC contest. Tufts will be at Amherst for a NESCAC game Saturday as well in its next start.
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