Tufts Falls to William Smith Herons 2-1 in Second Round

GENEVA, NY (November 17, 2024) - The Tufts University women's soccer team was eliminated from the 2024 NCAA Division III Women' Soccer Championship tournament on Sunday afternoon, following a 2-1 loss to the William Smith Herons on Cozzens Field.

The Jumbos (14-4-1, 7-2-1 NESCAC) started the match on the back foot, as the William Smith Herons (14-3-4, 6-1-2 Liberty) instantly applied pressure to the Tufts defense. The number 11 ranked Herons were fast, and were quick to work in behind the Jumbos back line. Lena Sugrue and her defensive crew reacted well, making several stops around the edge of the penalty area to quell the danger of the Herons offense. 

The physicality ramped up as it was clear speed alone would not be enough for either side. The William Smith midfield came alive, and the hosts began to hem the Jumbos into their own end. Tufts was not completely without offensive production, as the forwards, Elsi Aires, Nicola Sommers and Waverly Sumner did their best a unit to establish possession in the Herons half, but the home defense was repellent, holding a wide and high line to prevent the Jumbos from dominating in their half. The Jumbos were stuck in the mud, and the Herons were charging.

Herons midfielder Moira van der Putt played a through ball that left Kaleigh Darby in on goal. Sugrue, Caroline O'Neill and Jordan Cushner all gave chase with all their might, but it was just too late, as Darby faked to her left before shooting past the near post to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

The Jumbos were down at the half, and entered the second half with more energy and pace than before the break. Aires and Sommers were standouts,breaking in behind the Herons several times and combining for four shots total. The Jumbos were finally beginning to possess in their attacking half, and it was clear that the Herons were on their back foot.

In the 68th minute, a tough deflection saw the Jumbos momentum falter. Herons forward Julia Bragg charged forward to pressure the Tufts defense, as they waited to distribute the ball from in front of goal. Just as the Jumbos attempted to clear their lines, Bragg leapt into the air, blocking the clearance and fortunately for the Herons, the deflected ball skittered into the back of the net. The hosts now led 2-0, with just over 20 minutes to play.

The Jumbos put the unlucky play behind them, and resumed their quest towards a goal. They looked solid up through the midfield, but the forwards were running into some trouble in the final third. The Herons defense was sitting back, letting the Jumbos come to them. They were breaking up passes left and right, making progression difficult for the Jumbos. Eventually, Tufts was rewarded with a corner kick. Junior Caroline Kelly stepped up to deliver the set piece, and played a perfect cross into the center of the penalty area. Each team grappled for the ball, but it was sophomore Reese Birch who came up with the ball, poking it home to halve the deficit at 2-1.

With just over 15 minutes left to play, the Jumbos were now desperate to score. They moved Sugrue up in hopes of overwhelming the Herons with sheer offensive numbers, but the hosts defense held fast.

The Jumbos would hear the final whistle still behind 2-1, and were officially eliminated from NCAA tournament contention. They conclude the 2024 season as the highest scoring team in program history with 52 goals.