MEDFORD, MA (October 14, 2025) -- The No. 3 Tufts University women's soccer team dropped from the ranks of the unbeaten on Tuesday afternoon, as the Jumbos fell to visiting Amherst College 2-1 on Bello Field in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play.
The Jumbos were the last undefeated team in conference play coming into Tuesday afternoon's game, but visiting Amherst wasted no time getting on the board in the opening 10 minutes of the contest.
Amherst's Emma Darling netted her fourth goal of the season after she regained a loose ball on the box and fired into the bottom right corner for the early lead at 9:28 of the contest.
The Jumbos would completely dominate play during the opening half, outshooting the Mammoths 14-2 in the frame. Later in the game, Tufts had a chance to equalize after a penalty was given for a handball in the box, but the attempt sailed high.
Tufts nearly had a chance to equalize as
Anna Griffin drove inside on her left foot and ripped a shot that just missed the left post. The Jumbos continued to keep the pressure on in the second half, and finally broke through for the game-tying game in the 61st minute.
After winning the ball back in the midfield, junior
Reese Birch sprayed the ball wide to
Caroline Kelly. The senior midfielder played a perfect cross right to the head of Birch, who headed home inside the box to tie the game.
Tufts had some other good chances after the goal, including a shot just in the box by
Waverly Sumner but her attempt was saved. With the time winding down in the game, Amherst would get the deciding effort, earning a penalty kick in the 86th minute. Brooke Ingemi stepped up and scored to the keeper's left to five the Mammoths the win.
The shot totals were decidedly in the favor of Tufts, 25-9, though the shots on goal ledger was a slight 7-6 edge for the hosts. Tufts also earned four of the game's corner kicks.
Elsi Aires and Kelly each had six goals apiece for the Jumbos, while the three shots on goal from Kelly were tops on the team. Junior goalkeeper
Gigi Edwards made four saves in goal for Tufts, while
Anna Griffin was fantastic at her left back position in the loss.
Lulu Fickes made six saves for the Mammoths, who improve to 7-2-2 and 2-2-2 in the NESCAC.
Tufts (10-1-1, 6-1-1 NESCAC) travels to No. 10 Middlebury College Saturday afternoon at 11 a.m. for more NESCAC play.
--JUMBOS--
