Box Score MIDDLETOWN, CT - Wesleyan University's Liz Young scored twice in the final six minutes, including the game-winner with 14 seconds left, to give the host Cardinals a stunning 2-1 NESCAC victory over Tufts in women's soccer action Tuesday afternoon.
Young's pair of goals give her three early in the season as Wesleyan won its conference opener and improved to 3-1 overall. The Jumbos evened off at 1-1 in NESCAC and fell to 1-2 overall.
Though the Jumbos had an 8-5 edge in attempted shots for the first half, Wesleyan put all of their shots on goal. Jumbo first-year keeper Emily Bowers made two saves in the first 10 minutes of action and had five at the break.
Tufts would strike first when first-year Alex Aronson scored her first collegiate goal on a direct kick. From about 30 yards out, Aronson sent a high shot just past the reach of Wesleyan keeper Meghan Hanan in the 19th minute and it was 1-0 Jumbos.
Wesleyan would earn nine corners in the first half, but Bowers and the Jumbo defense were able to thwart each one of them. Jumbo first-year Lexie Miller had a shot in the closing seconds with Hanan making one of her three saves in the opening half keeping the score 1-0 Tufts.
Bowers had to make two more saves before the Jumbos would get their first shot on net late in the second half. Hanan stopped a bid by Tufts first-year Alessandra Sadler. Jumbo junior Jess Capone followed with a shot that went wide.
After Wesleyan cleared the danger, they scored a minute later on a tremendous play started by Madeline Keane's throw-in. Imogen Nelson headed the throw towards the goal mouth where Young headed it into the net in the 85th minute tying the game.
Five minutes later, with overtime looking imminent, Young would win the game for Wes with a great individual effort. Getting control of the ball deep in Tufts territory, she moved to the middle and cracked a high shot to the long side for the winner.
Shots finished at 13-12 for Tufts with corners 11-4 in favor of Wesleyan. Bowers made seven saves in the Tufts goal and Hanan posted four for the Cardinals.
The Jumbos return to NESCAC action on Saturday at home against Connecticut College at noon. The Cardinals are at Bowdoin on Saturday, also a noon start.
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