MIDDLEBURY, VT (April 1, 2023) -- No. 1 Middlebury used big first quarter to gain an early advantage over the No. 5 Tufts University women's lacrosse team, topping the Jumbos 16-9 in a Top 5 matchup from Peter Kohn field in Middlebury, VT.
Middlebury (9-0) scored the first four goals of the game, as Jane Earley put the Panthers up 4-0 on a free-position shot with 8:39 remaining in the first quarter. The Jumbos would respond with two of their own as
Madeline Delaney and
Emma Joyce scored just 47 seconds apart. Middlebury would score two more before the end of the quarter to lead 6-2.
The two defenses tightened up in the second quarter that saw only three goals scored and the two starting goalies,
Courtney Kaufman for Tufts and Annie Enrietto for Middlebury, combining to make six saves. After a Panther goal, Joyce would score off a free position to make the Middlebury lead 7-3. Middlebury would score with 31 seconds left to make it 8-3 at halftime.
The Jumbos pulled back to within three after
Ella Lesperance and
Caroline Conaghan scored with less than 12 minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Panthers defense would shut the Jumbos out for the rest of the quarter while the offense scored four of their own to make it 12-5 at the end of three quarters.
Both teams would score four goals in the final quarter as the Jumbos attempted to make a run as they cut the Panther lead to five early on, but were unable to get any closer.
Joyce scored three goals on the afternoon and added an assist. Lesperance and Conaghan each scored two goals. Kaufman made 13 saves during the contest.
Middlebury outshot Tufts 40-21 and were a perfect 21 for 21 on clears. Earley scored five goals and had two assists, while Hope Shue scored three goals and added an assist. Enrietto made five saves during the game.
Tufts will take on MIT Wednesday, April 5 at 4 PM at home in their last non-conference action of the season.
--JUMBOS--
