MEDFORD, MA (October 19, 2024) – The sixth-ranked Tufts University field hockey team ended #1 Middlebury College's 43-game winning streak with a 2-1 victory in NESCAC action at Ounjian Field on Saturday.
Senior tri-captain
Kayleigh McDonald scored both Tufts goals on corners as the Jumbos prevented the Panthers from tying the NCAA Division III record for consecutive victories (44). Tufts improved to 11-2 overall and 7-2 in the conference.
The Jumbos also played well defensively. Middlebury (12-1, 7-1 NESCAC) had entered the game outscoring opponents 76-8 this season. The one goal allowed by Tufts is the fewest scored by the Panthers since November 2022.
Remarkably, McDonald's two goals were the first two of her collegiate career. After a scoreless first quarter today, she put Tufts ahead on a corner with seven minutes to go until halftime. McDonald inputted out to
Andrea DelGiudice up top, then went to the cage. DelGiudice fired a ball that McDonald, alone behind the goalie, was able to deflect between her legs and in for a 1-0 Tufts lead.
Middlebury had the better of the play during the second quarter, outshooting Tufts 7-1. However, Jumbo goalie
Lydia Eastburn did her part making four saves in the frame giving Tufts the halftime lead.
The Panthers tied it in the third, led by a great effort from Claire McMichael. She took a ball outside the circle with a defender on her, then spun around and worked into the circle deep. McMichael passed out to an open Hanna Medwar who lifted it in with 7:36 on the third-quarter clock.
The game went to the fourth tied at 1-1 before the Jumbos capitalized on a corner again. The insert from McDonald was received by
Gabby Sousa just outside the top left of the circle. She fired the ball toward goal where
Reagan Malo directed it to McDonald near the left post and she knocked it in for the go-ahead goal with 6:41 remaining in regulation.
Middlebury would pull goalie Izzy Redzic for an extra player with three minutes remaining. As the clock wound down late in the game, Medwar broke up a Tufts pass and charged down the field with Caroline Haggerty open ahead of her. However, Tufts defender Kate MacKenze challenged Medwar and broke up the play.
Soon the Jumbos were charging the field to celebrate their first victory over the Panthers since 2019.
Shots finished at 10-8 in favor of Middlebury, and Tufts had the edge in corners at 6-4. Eastburn made five saves in all, while Redzic stopped two shots in the Middlebury goal.
The Jumbos are off until hosting Roger Williams University on Sunday, October 27 when they will celebrate Senior Day.
--JUMBOS--
