Tufts Takes Fifth Shutout, Eighth Win at Trinity 2-0

Box Score HARTFORD, CONN. (October 4, 2025) - The number six ranked Tufts University women's soccer team continued their hot start to the year into October as they blanked the Bantams of Trinity College (Conn.) in a 2-0 road win on Saturday afternoon.

The match began with the Jumbos (8-0-1, 5-0-1 NESCAC) quickly establishing a stranglehold over the match with long spells of possession around the Bantams (4-3-2, 1-3-1 NESCAC) half of the pitch. The rhythm was upheld by some now-typically world class play in the midfield by senior Caroline Kelly and juniors Reese Birch and Emily Nicholas. The defense was equally world class, as the center back pairing of senior Lena Sugrue and sophomore Phoebe Marsick combined to completely lock down the center of the defensive third. 

The Jumbos would begin to apply consistent pressure as they continued to learn the idiosyncrasies of their hosts. Eventually they found themselves propelled forward as senior forward Elsi Aires held up the ball to allow Birch into space above the penalty area. The junior midfielder unleashed a precise strike past the home goalkeeper and into the bottom left corner of the goal to give the Jumbos a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute.

Tufts kept their foot on the gas, ending the first half with 10 shots. The Bantams would only manage one shot on goal in the opening 45, coming down the field in the final seconds to force junior goalkeeper Gigi Edwards into a save. Despite the last gasp effort from Trinity, Tufts would hold their 1-0 lead into half time.

The rhythm from the first half was largely maintained in the second as the Jumbos went right back to work in search of their second score. It took only 20 minutes, as a chaotic sequence down the right wing would see Birch come up with the ball on the endline with about eight yards between herself and the near post. Instead of opting to shoot from a next-to-impossible angle, Birch chipped the ball into the middle of the penalty area towards the goal, allowing Kelly to move in behind it and tap in the Jumbos' second goal of the game.

With the 2-0 lead now safely in hand, Tufts gave a few rookies a chance to show their stuff against a quality opponent. The trio of first years Mazie Neville, Claire Brady and Kate Loparco all saw minutes down the stretch. Their fresh legs and high-intensity press helped the Jumbos see the shutout through, marking their fifth match without allowing their opponent to score through just nine games. They improved to 8-0-1 on the year and stayed unbeaten this season.

The Jumbos will have a quick turnaround as they return home to host a solid Endicott College side on Tuesday afternoon on Bello Field. Kick off for the regional non conference game will be at 4:00 pm in Medford.