MEDFORD, MA (November 14, 2025) -- For the first time in 20 years, the Tufts University women's soccer team will play host for the NCAA Opening Rounds, taking on Lesley University Saturday at 11 a.m. on Bello Field before Wesleyan University and NYU in the second NCAA First Round game at 1:30 PM. The winners square off on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Game Details
Tournament Schedule:
NCAA Opening Rounds Tournament Homepage
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Tufts University (14-1-3) vs. Lesley University (11-3-6) - 11 a.m.
Wesleyan University (9-4-3) vs. NYU (9-6-3) - 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Remaining Two Teams - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Medford, Mass. –
Bello Field -
Directions
Weather: Sunny, Low 40s, Chance of Rain: 0%, Wind: W 10-15 MPH
Tickets: Adults: $15; Seniors, Children: $10, Kids Under 3: Free
Live Coverage:
LIVE STATS –
LIVE VIDEO
Against The Field
Tufts has a 1-2-1 record against Lesley all-time, as the two teams played four straight seasons from 2014 to 2017. THe Jumbos won the first meeting 2-1 back in 2014 on a pair of goals by Mariah Harvey-Brown, while Lesley has won the last two of the last three meeting 1-0. The Jumbos have played Wesleyan twice this season, a 0-0 tie and a 2-1 win for Tufts in the NESCAC quarterfinals, going 28-11-9 all-time against the Cardinals. It is the first meeting in the NCAA Tournament against Lesley and Wesleyan for the Jumbos. If Tufts were to play NYU, it will be the first meeting against the Violets in program history.
A Look At The Jumbos (14-1-3)
Tufts enters the NCAA Tournament riding one of the most complete and consistent seasons in program history, carrying a 14-1-3 record that reflects both dominance and maturity across the pitch. The Jumbos have been difficult to disrupt in any environment, posting an 8-1-2 home mark while remaining unbeaten on the road, a sign of a group that travels well and maintains its level regardless of setting. Their only loss of the year came by a single goal to Amherst, underscoring how competitive they have been across all 18 matches.
The Jumbos are coming off a successful weekend in the NESCAC Tournament, earning their second-ever conference crown with a 3-2 win over Colby College while knocking off Williams 5-3 in penalties after a 1-1 draw through double overtime.
The backbone of Tufts' success has been a defensive structure that has allowed just 10 goals all season - an exceptional 0.55 goals-against average. Opponents are producing only 7.7 shots per match, a testament to Tufts' ability to control tempo, win second balls, and deny clean looks around the box. With 10 shutouts and a near-even distribution of goals allowed across halves, the Jumbos have built a defensive foundation that keeps them in every match and steadily applies pressure to opponents to be perfect with their chances.
In goal, Gigi Edwards has been one of the most reliable and efficient keepers in the region. She boasts an 11-1-3 record, a stingy 0.54 GAA, and an impressive .871 save percentage. Edwards' calm presence has anchored a back line that limits dangerous opportunities, and when needed, she has delivered timely saves to preserve leads and shutouts. The Jumbos have also received strong support from their depth at the position, with their reserve goalkeepers combining for additional clean sheets and only one goal allowed.
Offensively, Tufts has paired its defensive discipline with a relentless attacking engine that produces 21.7 shots per game—nearly triple what their opponents manage. With 41 goals on the year, the Jumbos have consistently created high-quality opportunities, sustained pressure, and overwhelmed opponents through sheer volume. Their 150 corner kicks further highlight how often they play in the attacking third and keep defenses under sustained stress.
The attack features a dynamic trio at the top of the statistical charts, beginning with leading scorer and NESCAC Player of the Year Elsi Aires, who has compiled 10 goals and four assists while firing a team-high 86 shots. Her ability to generate chances at will and deliver in big moments—evidenced by four game-winners—makes her a central figure in Tufts' postseason hopes. Alongside her, All-NESCAC First Team honoree Reese Birch has been one of the most efficient players in the conference, scoring nine goals with a 20.5% shot conversion rate and adding seven assists to reach 25 total points.
Playmaking responsibilities are shared across the midfield, most notably through Caroline Kelly, who leads the roster with nine assists while also contributing four goals. Her creativity and service in the run of play and on set pieces have helped Tufts maintain its multi-layered attack. Midfielder Waverly Sumner adds six assists and drives much of the team's buildup play, helping link possession between lines and enabling the Jumbos to break opponents down through sustained sequences rather than relying on isolated moments.
Defensively, NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year Lena Sugrue and sophomore center back Phoebe Marsick have been stellar to allow the outside backs of Maggie Rogers and Anna Griffin to get forward. Midfielder and NESCAC Player of the Week Emily Nicholas is a decisive ball winner, who does all of the dirty work to get the job done.
Tufts is making its 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
A Look At The Field
Lesley University comes into the weekend after earning the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) title last weekend with a 3-1 win over Maine Maritime Academy last weekend. The Lynx have won seven straight games coming into the NCAA Tournament, as Lesley is making its 10th appearance all-time in the big dance. Lesley has not lost since October 6 to Rhode Island College, 2-1, and have scored a goal in all but three games this year.
Lesley is paced offensively by the nine goals and five assists from sophomore forward Leecy Cruz, who has taken 62 shots on the season while netting a team-high three game-winning goals. Sophomore midfielder Elsie Koehler has tallied six goals as well in 17 games for the Lynx, while Bethany Slivka has two goals and a team-best nine helpers. Senior Kylie Chagnon also has five goals and two assists for the Lynx.
Lesley has split time in goal, as Madison Reed has played and started 14 games with a 1.02 goals against average while first-year Lily Bartolotti also has recorded five shutouts while allowing two goals on the season. All 25 players on the roster that have played a game have started at least once this season, while 19 players have 10 or more games played. This is the first trip to the NCAA Tournament for the Lynx since 2022, and the first NAC title in program history after joining the league three years ago.
The Wesleyan University women's soccer team will make their fifth overall appearance in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, earning an at-large bid.
Reaching the Tournament for the fifth-straight year, the Cardinals did so with a 9-4-3 record and a 4-3-3 campaign within the NESCAC. The Cardinals saw quarterfinal action in the NESCAC Championship as the #2 seed but exited the tournament early with 2-1 loss to the top-seeded Jumbos. Head coach Eva Meredith is 5-4-1 in NCAA Tournament play, reaching the Final Four in 2021.
The quarterfinal match-up at Tufts saw the Jumbos score early in the first half with just over 10 minutes of action underway from the opening kickoff. The Jumbos took the lead on a free kick, but Maria Utz tied the match up at one to enter the half. Posting 16 shots on the Cardinals' heavy hitting defense, the Jumbos were awarded with a second goal to secure the win.
Utz leads all Cardinals in scoring with 10 goals and eight assists for 28 points as one of the highest scoring players in the NESCAC. Utz was named an All-NESCAC First Team selection on Wednesday. Starting in goal, Molly Brumbach '26 holds an 8-4-3 overall record with eight shutouts. Brumbach has made 65 saves this season for a .890 save percentage while allowing eight goals against. Brumbach was also a First Team All-NESCAC honoree this week.
NYU enters the tournament unranked with a 9-6-3 record while running 1-5-1 in the University Athletic Association. The Violets finished the regular season with a 1-0 loss to Brandeis, in a UAA match-up, posting 10 total shots and six on goal. The Cardinals and the Violets have never met in competition, marking the first match-up for the two programs. Against ranked opponents, the Violets are 3-4-1. Marlee Scanlon leads the Violets with six goals and an assist, but has not scored since Oct. 11. Mia Capo looks to get the start in goal with an 8-5-3 record. Capo marks 51 saves and 15 goals against with a .773 save percentage.
--JUMBOS--
