LEWISTON, ME (November 15, 2025) – First-year
Eleanor Helm scored two minutes into the second overtime period to lift the Tufts University field hockey team to a dramatic 2-1 win over Williams College in the NCAA Tournament "Sweet 16" on Saturday at Bates College.
Tufts trailed 1-0 late in regulation before junior
Hannah Murray scored with 2:48 remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the score. After Williams goalie Ellie Smith made four saves in the first overtime to keep the game tied, Helm scored two minutes into the second extra frame to win it for the Jumbos.
Tufts (16-3) now plays host Bates in the "Elite 8" on Sunday at 1:00 PM. The winner of that game will move on to the "Final Four". Williams' season ends with a 9-9 record.
The Ephs, who had defeated Tufts 3-1 early in the regular-season, started quickly today. On a restart in the Jumbo end, Eph Katie Sigrist sent a pass to Anna Miller who was wide on the right side. Miller put a long pass through the circle that reached senior Kiki Higgins who was all alone in front of the goal and tapped it in eight minutes into play for a 1-0 Williams lead.
The Ephs would hold that margin until late in regulation. Then with Tufts pressuring, a loose ball was knocked around and eventually collected by Jumbo junior
Katarina Villa on the right side. Her pass straight through the goal area found junior
Hannah Murray open near the left post and the Jumbos had tied it up.
Tufts would have the edge in play for the overtime periods, including 5-1 on shots in the first extra frame. Though Williams would get it to a second OT, the Jumbos would score the game-winner soon.
On a corner insert by junior
Claire Casey, a shot by senior
Hannah Biccard was saved by Smith. Helm was right in front for the rebound, and though her first poke was saved by Smith, the second one went in and the Jumbos rushed the field to celebrate the victory.
Tufts finished the game with an 18-8 advantage in shots, including 12-4 on goal. Smith had 10 saves in the Williams cage, while senior
Lydia Eastburn made three for Tufts. Corners finished 6-1 in Tufts' favor.
The Jumbos will be playing tomorrow to advance to their seventh Final Four.
--JUMBOS--
