Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN - For the second straight season, the Tufts University Hockey team entered the NESCAC Championship tournament as the #8 seed and defeated the #1 seed in the quarterfinals as the Jumbos posted a 2-1 victory at Williams College today.
Last year Tufts won at Trinity by the same 2-1 score to knock the #1 seed out of the tournament. Following today's win at Williams, the Jumbos will play at Trinity in the conference semi-finals next Saturday. Tufts will play the host and #2 seed Bantams, who defeated Colby 3-1 in the today's quarterfinals.
Tufts scored twice 1:05 apart in the second period today to come back from an early 1-0 deficit at Williams. Junior Sean Kavanagh tallied at 11:48 and senior Keith Campbell followed at 12:53. Junior goalie Mason Pulde made 36 saves in net as the Jumbos moved over .500 for the season at 10-9-6.
The Ephs, who earned the #1 seed with a 14-2-2 mark during the conference season, dropped to 18-5-2 overall. They will await a possible at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Williams shut out the Jumbos both times the two teams faced one another this season. The first match-up took place in early December with the Ephs taking a 2-0 victory on the road. The second time these two teams met was in late January with Williams claiming a decisive 4-0 home win.
After a scoreless first period today, the Ephs led in shot count 11-4.
Williams got off to a quick start in the second period, earning themselves a one goal-lead at the 1:00 mark. Immediately following a face-off in the lower right circle, freshman Michael Lata was able to get the puck to the slot for sophomore C.J. Shugart to snipe one past Pulde.
The Jumbos tied the game at one after a shot from the right point by Kavanagh hit a body in front of the net and went bouncing by Williams goalie Michael Pinios. This was Kavanagh's third goal of the season.
Tufts took the lead just a little more than a minute later. Junior Mike Leary skated past the Williams defensive unit to fire one off from the slot. Pinios made a pad save that rebounded right to the stick of senior Keith Campbell, who shot it past Pinios who was still down. The goal was Campbell's first of the season. Junior Patrick Lackey joined Leary in assisting.
Pulde made 17 saves in the third period to hold the lead as the Ephs had an big advantage in offensive zone time. Pinios was pulled to get the extra man with one minute remaining in the contest, however the Jumbo defensive unit was able to stifle any opportunities.
Shots finished in the Ephs' favor 37-23. Pinios made 21 saves for Williams.
Fifth-seed Middlebury and sixth-seed Amherst also won quarterfinal games against higher seeds today. They will play in the semi-finals at Trinity next Saturday. The day's winners will meet for the conference title on Sunday.
Portions of this release courtesy of Williams College
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