Jumbos Women's Soccer Kicks Off the 2024 Season with 4-1 Win

MEDFORD, MA (September 4, 2024) - The Tufts University women's soccer team played a complete 90 minutes with contributions from all over the roster as the Jumbos (1-0) beat the Emerson Lions (1-2) by a score of 4-1 at Bello Field on Wednesday night.

Tufts hit the ground running, immediately putting significant pressure on the Lions' defense. Four shots were tallied in the opening ten minutes, setting the tone for an offense-heavy season opener for the Jumbos. Junior forward Elsi Aires continued her strong form from last year by scoring the opening goal just 11 minutes into the first half.

Tufts continued to keep the Lions hemmed in their own end throughout the first half, limiting the visitors to just three shots in the opening 45. Sophomore goalkeeper Gigi Edwards met the two on-target shots with a pair of composed saves, keeping the Lions off the board.

Offensively, the Jumbos were pouring it all over the Lions in the first half, attempting 13 shots and putting seven of them on target. Junior forward Anna Griffin found the back of the net with seconds left in the opening frame, assisted by junior defender Lena Sugrue. 

The second half of play saw Tufts' dominance continue. Sophomore Waverly Sumner made it a third for the Jumbos just seven minutes into the second half, connecting with the assistant, junior midfielder Caroline Kelly. Sumner's goal was her third as a Jumbo, and first of the new season. 

In the 68th minute, the Jumbos scored again. This time it was sophomore midfielder Reese Birch who finished, with first year midfielder Sarah Hauck earning the assist. Birch's goal was her first as a Jumbo, and Hauck's assist was her first goal contribution as a Jumbo. 

Emerson was quick to find their footing; thirty seconds following Birch's goal, they marched down the field and scored through first year Kelsea Laughrey, assisted by junior Presley King. Despite the immediate response from the Lions, Tufts managed to resume their dominance over possession. 15 shots were tallied in the second half, good for a total of 28 shot attempts across the full 90 minutes. 12 of those 28 attempts were on target, putting the Lions in an uncompromising position on defense.

Goalkeeper Edwards was solid through the full 90, making five saves throughout the game. 

The Jumbos will head over to Williamstown, Mass. to begin NESCAC play with a 12:30 game against Williams this Saturday.