Women's Lacrosse Secures Clutch NESCAC Road Win at Williams, 8-6

Recap courtesy of Williams College

WILLIAMSTOWN - The #11 Tufts women's lacrosse team scored the first four goals of the game and keep a few steps ahead of #16 Williams throughout the contest to earn a solid 8-6 NESCAC win on the road Wednesday night.

First-year Hannah Wiltshire was solid in goal with 10 saves

Despite Becca Bell's three-goal effort for the hosts, the Jumbos prevailed and improved to 8-2 overall and 4-2 NESCAC. The Ephs, playing under the lights at Farley-Lamb Field, dropped to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the league.

The Ephs had fought back to bring the game to 6-4. However, Jumbo first-year Taylor Meek's goal with 18:11 remaining in the game sealed Tufts' third consecutive NESCAC victory.

The Jumbos opened the scoring just 43 seconds into the half on a Brigid Bowser free-position shot. Following Natalie Gill's draw control, the Ephs maintained a lengthy possession, but were unable to capitalize on shots by Bridget Malicki and Maeve Mulholland. Tufts responded to the Ephs' threatening offensive possession with three consecutive goals by Caroline Ross, Kali DiGate, and Lindsey Walker. Tufts could have extended their streak to five if not for Eph netminder Margaret Draper, who made a diving kick save on a free-position chance.

Bell was the first Eph to find the back of the net, doing so by way of Anne Rehfuss at 8:57. The game remained 4-1 for several minutes, largely because of the play of Draper and Tufts' Hannah Wiltshire. Gill broke the game's scoreless stretch at 2:55 on a free-position attempt, her ninth of the season. Though Malicki and Chodos fired high-quality chances toward the goal as time wound down in the half, Wiltshire was equal to the task, and the Jumbos headed to the locker room up 4-2.

The Jumbos finished the half ahead in shots, 12-9, and ground balls, 11-7. Both Draper and Wiltshire managed five saves.

Tufts' Bowser controlled the opening draw and scored at 29:20 to bring the Jumbo's lead to three (5-2). Shortly thereafter, Williams' Bell tallied her second of the game at 27:33. The Ephs controlled the ensuing possession and hurled several shots toward Wiltshire, but she did not waver. Following Tufts' sixth goal of the game, Hillary Cook buried a free-position shot with 20:41 to bring the Ephs to within 2 (6-4).

Meek scored what would be the game-winning goal at 18:11 on a DiGate pass from X. Down 8-4 with 10 minutes to play, Williams dominated possession, managing to collect goals from Nancy Palmer and Bell. Though the Ephs threatened to score as the game came to a close, Tufts controlled possession and ran out the clock, ending the game at 8-6.

Williams was led in scoring by Bell, who found the back of the net three times and collected one ground ball. Tufts was led by Bowser, who managed two goals, one assist, and three ground balls. Ross and Walker scored twice for the Jumbos.

Wiltshire fashioned 10 saves on 16 Eph chances. Draper finished the game with five saves on 13 Jumbo shots.

Next up for Tufts is Wesleyan University on Saturday. The Ephs travel to Amherst to square off with the rival Lord Jeffs on Friday at 6 pm.

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