Jumbos Cruise Past Mules at Home

MEDFORD, MA (September 14, 2024) - The Tufts University women's soccer team played a strong 90 minutes against Colby College, besting the Mules by a score of 3-0 at Bello Field in Medford on Saturday afternoon.

The starting whistle sounded, and merely seconds later the Jumbos (2-1) were in the lead. Junior Caroline Kelly worked her way to the top of the scoring area, and received the cross sent in by Sophomore Waverly Sumner. A thunderous shot from the edge of the penalty area went past the Colby (3-1) goalkeeper MK Marshall, giving the Jumbos a 1-0 lead just 45 seconds into the match.

The defense, boosted by the early score, was rock solid. Colby was pinned into their own end, mainly thanks to the suffocating play of the junior center back Lena Sugrue. Sugrue patrolled the back line with expertise and physical dominance, winning aerial battles and fifty-fifty chances alike.

Sugrue joined in on the offensive side as well, as she would find herself in a scoring position during a corner kick. Rising above the rest of the leaping contenders, Sugrue headed the ball home directly off the corner service, which was sent in by freshman Maren Jones.

For Jones, it was her first goal contribution as a Jumbo. For Sugrue, it was her first goal since the 2022 season, and the cherry on top of a fantastic 90 minute effort by the junior defender.

The first half closed with the Tufts comfortably in the lead by a pair of goals. Colby would try to take a piece out of that lead with an increase in tempo to start the second half. Sophomore goalkeeper Gigi Edwards was tested, but passed with flying colors as she maintained the clean sheet for the full 90 minutes, joining Sugrue as the only two Jumbos to play the full 90.

Tufts was not done scoring yet, however, as sophomore Reese Birch decided to join the fun. Birch pried the ball from the unsuspecting feet of the Mules defense, pranced into the penalty area, and deftly scored past Marshall to give the Jumbos a 3-0 lead.

Junior Elsi Aires starred on offense once again, as she led the team with three shots in 52 minutes of play. Sugrue, a defender, also fired off three shots. Birch and Kelly each pulled off two shots. 

The Jumbos would cruise to the final whistle, claiming victory over the Mules in the first NESCAC game at Bello Field by a score of 3-0. 

The Jumbos will be back in action at Bello Field as they host Connecticut College in another afternoon NESCAC matchup on Sunday, September 15.