MEDFORD, MA (October 29, 2022) –
Reegan McCluskey's goal off a
Lainie Pearson assist gave Tufts Field Hockey a 1-0 victory at home against Bates College in the first round of the NESCAC Tournament on Saturday.
After a scoreless first half, the Jumbos were able to score the game's only goal off a penalty corner. The corner was awarded after
Rachel Scrivanich was fouled inside the circle. McCluskey got the ball from Pearson and was able to beat her defender and her shot found the back of the net.
The first half was a tight battle between the two teams as there was not a shot recorded. Both teams created scoring opportunities though. For the Jumbos it was Scrivanich in the first quarter who made a good run and crossed the ball into the circle, but
Kylie Rosenquest couldn't get her stick to it.
The Bobcats got the best chance in the second quarter as Anna Cote had put a dangerous ball that looked like a Bates player might get a stick to it, but Jumbo goalie
Sam Gibby dived to deflect the ball away.
Both teams had good chances in the third quarter. A Tufts corner gave them two opportunities as
Gabby Sousa's shot had beaten the goalie, but a Bobcat defender cleared and then Rosenquest had her shot saved. After the Jumbos had taken a 1-0 lead, the Bobcats responded when Paige Cote tipped a shot that was going wide, but Gibby saved it to keep the Jumbos in the lead. Tufts would lead 1-0 after the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Bobcats quickly put the pressure on the Jumbos' defense after they were awarded a corner. Kami Lambert looked like she was going to equalize the game after she received a pass from Lauren Salazar on the back post, but her shot went wide. With a couple minutes left in the game, Bates was awarded another corner. This time it was Maria Femia's tip off a shot from Molly Harmon that Gibby was able to make the save on.
Scrivanich led Tufts (11-5) with three shots, all going on goal, while four other Jumbos had shots. Gibby made three saves in the game. Tufts had a 7-6 advantage in shots over Bates and the two teams were tied with two corners apiece.
Bates (9-7) was led by Cote, who had two shots in the game with one getting on goal, while four other Bobcats had shots. Grace Biddle made five saves in the game.
The Jumbos will continue NESCAC Tournament play on Saturday, November 5, as they will battle Trinity College at Middlebury College starting at 1:30 pm.
--JUMBOS--
Written by Ryan Daly, Athletics Communications Intern
