SALEM, VA (November 30, 2023) -- The Tufts University women's soccer team's magical run through the 2023 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament came to an end Thursday evening, as the Jumbos drew with California Lutheran University 1-1, but Tufts would fall 4-3 in penalty kicks in action from Kerr Stadium on the campus of Roanoke College.
Tufts finishes their season 11-5-5 after the draw, but the fight and battle by the Jumbos was on display as they had to come from behind after trailing for the first time in the NCAA Tournament. In the second half, Tufts dominated possession and outshot the Regals (18-1-6) 10-3.
In the 81st minute, Tufts earned a free kick as
Casey Lam was fouled 20 yards from goal. On the ensuing free kick, sophomore
Elsi Aires hit an incredible free kick to tie the game at one, posting her seventh goal of the NCAA Tournament and 15th of the season. Minutes later, Tufts earned another free kick right outside the box but the free kick was blocked.
In the overtime periods, Tufts had the early run of play in the first overtime session but Cal Lutheran almost won it in the second overtime as an attempt clanged off the cross bar and out. After 110 minutes, the game went to penalties where CLU made their four attempts while Tufts converted on three shots sending the Regals to the national championship game Saturday against Washington University of St. Louis at noon. The Bears drew with Messiah University 1-1, advancing on penalties.
Cal Lutheran took the lead in the 18th minute, as Avery West pushed in a shot off a corner kick for the early lead. CLU held a slight 5-4 edge in shots in the first stanza, earning all three corners in the opening 45 minutes.
Tufts held a 16-14 edge in shots including a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. First-year
Gigi Edwards made three saves in the 110 minutes of play between the pipes. Aires led Tufts with six shots, while first-year
Emily Nicholas added three attempts for the Jumbos.
The trip to the national semifinals was the third all-time for the Tufts women's soccer team, and its first since 2005. Tufts picked up four wins to earn their spot in the NCAA semifinal round, defeating three ranked squads including two on their home field in The College of New Jersey and the University of Rochester.
All three trips to the NCAA semifinals have been under the direction of head coach
Martha Whiting, who played at Tufts University and is one of the most decorated goalkeepers in program history. Tufts also put two players on the NCAA All-Tournament Team, as senior
Nicola Sommers and sophomore
Elsi Aires were selected to the squad for their play in the five NCAA Tournament games.
The Jumbos will graduate seven seniors from this year's squad, including All-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) performers
Olivia Patz and
Thalia Greenberg. The Jumbos will return eight starters in 2024.
--JUMBOS--
