Box Score
Sophomore Lily Sykes scored the game tieing goal to force overtime. |
MEDFORD - Tufts University sophomore Lily Sykes scored with 1:06 remaining in regulation as the Jumbo women's soccer team played to a 2-2 draw with Connecticut College in a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) game on Homecoming Day at Kraft Field.
With just over a minute left in the second half, a costly Connecticut College foul resulted in a free kick opportunity just outside of the box for the Jumbos. Sykes lined up for the free-kick try and drove the ball past a line of five Camel defenders and the goalkeeper to even the contest at 2-2. The goal was the third of the season for Sykes. The teams played two scoreless 10-minute overtime periods.
With the tie, the Jumbos are now 10-1-2 (6-1-1 NESCAC), while the Camels move to 9-3-1 (4-3-1 NESCAC) on the season.
The Camels earned the first scoring opportunity following a foul by the Jumbos. The free kick from outside of the box was fired high over the net by senior defender Sara Kogelmann.
The Jumbos responded shortly after with a chance of their own. Senior Izzy Moore corralled the ball in the center of the offensive zone on a fail cleared attempt by the Camels. Moore chipped a shot that just merely missed the top left corner of the net frame.
Sophomore defender Kylie Metcalf got the scoring started for the Jumbos in the 22nd minute on a penalty corner opportunity. Junior Liz Reed was awarded the assist as she placed a beautiful ball from the corner to give Metcalf a header opportunity which gave the Jumbos a 1-0 lead.
The Camels quickly responded just 20 seconds later on penalty kick. A Tufts defender was called for the foul as she took down a Camel attacker attempting to drive towards the goal. Connecticut College junior Tori Kretzmer found the back of the net on the penalty kick try to even the score at 1-1.
The Jumbos had the last scoring chance of the half. Freshman Madeleine Pero placed a ball in the area of a streaking Paige Vigliotta who was unable to control possession in the right offensive alley. The Jumbos and Camels entered halftime tied 1-1.
In the second period of play, the Camels wasted little time taking a 2-1 lead. On a penalty corner opportunity in the 51st minute, junior Kat Norton was able to connect on a piece of the ball in a large crowd in front of the net. Sophomore Bella Patino was awarded the helper.
Many offensive chances were denied by strong defensive play from both teams during the following minutes. Tufts freshman Claire Wilkinson handled the ball in front of the net resulting a shot wide left that was inches from the goal post. However, the Jumbos would get the equalizer before time expired.
Through the two overtimes, defensive play remained consistent as each team was searching for the game-winning goal. The Jumbos were awarded back-to-back penalty corner opportunities in the 106th minute, and a shot by sophomore Sophie Lloyd was denied by the Camels goalkeeper Katy Pelletier.
The Jumbos finished with six total penalty corners, while the Camels finished with just two.
Freshman Hayley Bernstein recorded four saves on six shots on goal for Tufts. Her counterpart Pelletier ended the contest with five saves on seven shots. Tufts had a 16-10 advantage in shots overall.
Tufts returns to action next Saturday when they host #1 Middlebury College at Kraft Field with a start time of 12 pm. Connecticut College is off until next Saturday as well when they host Hamilton College in a NESCAC matchup. They are slated to start at 11:30 am.
