Jumbos Fall Just Short at Wesleyan

MIDDLETOWN, CT (September 28, 2024) - The Tufts University women's soccer team played a high intensity New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) match that would end 2-1 in favor of the hosting Wesleyan Cardinals at Jackson Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Jumbos (4-2-1) would start the match as well as any team could, scoring in the opening minutes of the conference match. Sophomore Waverly Sumner flew down the left wing, slipping a cross through the scrambling Wesleyan defenders that found an eagerly awaiting graduate student Nicola Sommers on the back post. One touch to settle the ball and one touch to finish was enough to beat the Cardinals goalkeeper Molly Brumbach. The Jumbos led by a goal after just 49 seconds thanks to the cool-headed finish by Sommers to score her first goal of the season.

The Cardinals were equally shocked and quick to regain their footing. They matched the physicality Tufts brought to the game, and used strong possession on the wings to contain the Jumbos in their defensive half. After a sustained sequence of possession in the Jumbos end, Wesleyan found their equalizer, as forward Maddy Reynolds linked up with Maria Utz high above the penalty area. A shot against the grain of play beat sophomore goalkeeper Gigi Edwards, as Utz's shot just rolled past her extended hand to even the score at one.

The Jumbos were fired up after the score against them, and were much better on the wings allowing them to put some pressure on the Cardinals defense. Junior Elsi Aires was the tip of the spear on attack, leading the charge deep into the attacking third on many occasions. Sommers was also all over the pitch, making plays on either wing as she dominated the Cardinals with her physicality. The increased pressure was not enough to crack a rock solid Wesleyan defense. Aires would attempt two shots over 81 minutes, with only one managing to find the frame of the host's net. Sommers would fire three shots on goal over 58 minutes, including the early shot to start the scoring.

The Wesleyan philosophy changed, as they began to focus more on counter-attacking to achieve the tie breaking goal. Utz would force a turnover at midfield and carry the ball into the near corner of the attacking third. An outswinging cross found Katie O'Connell on the back post, who had more than enough time to find the back of the net despite the charging effort from Edwards. The Cardinals now led 2-1.

Having found the tie breaker, the Cardinals were clearly more comfortable in their play. Tufts would not suffer from a lack of chances, however, as the play of Aires and junior midfielder Caroline Kelly assaulted the home defense. The Jumbos would fire eight shots in the second 45, forcing six saves out of Brumbach. The best chance for Tufts came when a magical cross from Aires found sophomore Reese Birch on the back post. Birch had to take a touch to bring the ball out of the air, and by the time the shot left her foot, the Wesleyan defense had adjusted to block her attempt. 

The Jumbos would not lack intensity as the match wound down towards full time, as they continued to attack the Cardinals net. Unfortunately for the Jumbos, they would just run out of time, as Wesleyan would hold on to win 2-1 at the final whistle.

The Jumbos will return to Massachusetts to play a non conference match at Endicott at 4:00 PM Tuesday, October 1.