Box Score MEDFORD - The #11 Colby College Mules outscored #4 Tufts 7-1 in the second half to earn an 11-6 victory over the Jumbos in NESCAC women's lacrosse action at a cold and rainy Bello Field Saturday afternoon.
Senior tri-captain Sara Miller scored three goals and sophomore Lexie Perticone had four assists as Colby improved to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in NESCAC. Junior goalie Sarah Evans, who came on in relief during the first half, was outstanding in the second half with eight saves.
Tufts took its first loss, dropping to 4-1 and 1-1 in the league. Senior tri-captain Kali DiGate and junior Brigid Bowser both scored twice for Tufts.
The Jumbos started strong, taking a 3-0 lead barely four minutes into the game on goals by junior tri-captain Caroline Ross, Bowser and DiGate. They led 4-1 on DiGate's second of the game with 18:39 on the first-half clock.
Colby would regroup and control most of the remainder of the game though. The visitors outscored Tufts 10-2 during the final 47 minutes of play. However, Tufts did hold its advantage until halftime up 5-4.
The Mules netted the first six goals of the second half to lead 10-5 with 5:30 remaining in regulation. Miller and junior Abigail Hooper both scored twice during the run, while senior tri-captain Abby Hatch assisted twice.
The Jumbos were still alive when Bowser scored with 4:03 remaining in the second making it 10-6, by Evans was strong in the Colby net to keep Tufts at an arm's length. She made more than a few key stops including three on second-half free-position attempts by the Jumbos.
The overall stats were very tight as Colby had slim advantages in shots (21-17), groundballs (17-16) and draw controls (10-9).
In addition to scoring a goal with two assists, Hatch won four draws for the Mules while collecting four groundballs. Hooper (two goals) had two of the nine caused turnovers for Colby. Junior Dana Swaffield added two scores.
Ross scored a goal and an assist while taking four draw controls for the Jumbos. Senior tri-captain Emily Wright was outstanding defensively causing five turnovers and grabbing four groundballs. Senior Rachel Gallimore stopped seven shots in the Tufts net.
Colby plays at in-state foe Southern Maine next on Tuesday. Tufts travels to the Albany area to take on Buffalo State also on Tuesday.
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