MIDDLETOWN, CT (April 6, 2024) -- The No. 3 Tufts University women's lacrosse team suffered its first setback of the 2024 season Saturday afternoon, as the Jumbos dropped a 17-15 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) decision at No. 8 Wesleyan University on Smith Field.
The Jumbos and Cardinals (7-2, 3-2 NESCAC) played a back-and-forth game in the opening quarter, as Wesleyan led 6-5 after a goal by Laura Baine with 14:08 left in first half.
Madeline Delaney tallied to start a three-goal run for the Jumbos (10-1, 5-1 NESCAC) to make it 8-6, but two goals by Wesleyan's Dylan Green made it 8-8.
Tufts finished the opening half on a 3-1 run, taking an 11-9 lead into halftime after a goal from
Emily Leschin with 3:36 remaining in the first half. Tufts would build its lead up to 15-11 late in the third quarter on a
Caroline Conaghan goal, but Wesleyan stormed back with a 6-0 fourth quarter to earn the win.
Margie Carden finished with a team-best seven points on three goals and four assists, as she tallied her 177th goal for her career Saturday. The 177 goals is now fourth-most in program history, as she passed Melissa Lowe '90 and her 176. Carden is three behind both Jenny Payette '82 and Rebecca Black '96 for second all-time with 180, and is now 15 shy of Emily Games and her school-record mark of 192.
Junior
Ella Lesperance tallied five points on a goal and four assists, as she eclipsed 100 points for her career now sitting with 101 for her tenure. Sophomore
Allie Zorn and Conaghan each posted two goals and an assist, and
Kate Deehan tallied two goals and two caused turnovers. Delaney finished with two goals, two grounders, a caused turnover and a draw control, and
Elsa Schutt posted a goal, assist and two draw controls.
Genna Gibbons was strong in the circle with six draw controls, posted a ground ball as well, while senior
Nicola Sommers finished with a career-high three loose ball pickups.
Kathryn Fernandopulle also finished with two caused turnovers and a ground ball. Fernandopulle now has a caused turnover in nine of 11 games this season, including each of the last five.
Pascale de Buren stopped eight shots in net for Tufts.
The Jumbos were outshot for the first time this season Saturday, 29-27, and was just 1-of-3 on free position attempts compared to the 6-of-9 from Wesleyan. Baine had a team-high five goals in the win, while Kiara Tangney finished with four tallies as well in the victory. Izzy Weintraub made eight saves for the Cardinals.
Tufts is back in action on Wednesday on Bello Field, hosting Bates College (5-6, 1-5 NESCAC) in more NESCAC action.
--JUMBOS--
