Women's Soccer Hosts NESCAC Tournament This Weekend On Bello

MEDFORD, MA (November 7, 2025) -- The Tufts University women's soccer team, currently ranked No. 3 in both the USC Top 25 Coaches Poll and NPI rankings, will serve as the weekend host for the 2025 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament semifinals and finals Saturday and Sunday on Bello Field. The top-seed in the tournament, Tufts will take on No. 5 seed Colby College on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. before No. 2 seed Williams College and No. 3 seed Middlebury College will play the evening match at 6:30 p.m. in the other semifinals. 

Game Details
Tournament Schedule:
NESCAC Tournament Homepage 
Saturday, November 8, 2025
No. 1 seed Tufts University (14-1-2) vs. No. 5 seed Colby College (10-3-3) - 4 p.m.
No. 2 seed Williams College (11-2-3) vs. No. 3 seed Middlebury College (11-2-3) - 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Remaining Two Teams - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Medford, Mass. – Bello Field - Directions 
Weather: Sunny, Low 60s, Chance of Rain: 5%, Wind: W 5-10 MPH
Live Coverage: LIVE STATS – LIVE VIDEO

Jumbos Against Weekend Foes
The Jumbos will take on three familiar foes in the NESCAC Tournament this weekend, as Tufts comes into the weekend with an all-time NESCAC Tournament record of 15-17-5 in their 24 appearances. Tufts is in search of its second all-time NESCAC Tournament title, while Colby will look for their first NESCAC crown. Williams has won eight previous championships, while Middlebury has five NESCAC titles. Tufts is 1-0 against Colby in the NESCAC Tournament all-time, while the Jumbos are 2-4 against Williams in the postseason. Tufts is also 0-2 against Middlebury in the conference tournament. Tufts knocked off Colby 2-0 this season, with a 2-1 win over Williams College in the season-opener and a 0-0 tie with Middlebury. 

A Look at the Jumbos (14-1-2)
The Tufts University women's soccer team enters the NESCAC Tournament as one of the hottest and most complete squads in the region, finishing the regular season with a dominant 13-1-2 overall record and a 7-1-2 mark in conference play. The Jumbos have combined a balanced attack with one of the stingiest defenses in the nation, outscoring opponents 37-7 across 16 matches while recording 10 shutouts. They have been especially strong at home, going 7-1-1 at Bello Field and posting a perfect 6-0-1 record on the road.

Tufts opened the year with an impressive run of consistency, starting the season 7-0-1 before its first setback against Amherst in mid-October. Along the way, the Jumbos earned statement wins over top NESCAC contenders such as Williams (2-1) and Hamilton (2-1), as well as non-conference shutouts of Regis, Gordon, and Endicott. They rebounded from the Amherst loss with a strong finish, closing the regular season unbeaten in their final three matches — including a commanding 6-0 victory over Bowdoin and a 2-1 win over Wesleyan in the NESCAC Quarterfinals last weekend.

Offensively, the Jumbos have shown both depth and creativity, scoring a NESCAC-high 37 goals on 354 shots, averaging more than 22 shots per game. Elsi Aires has been the go-to finisher, tallying 10 goals and four assists to lead the team with 24 points. Her knack for clutch scoring includes four game-winning goals. Reese Birch has complemented her well with seven goals and six assists, while Caroline Kelly has been the team's top playmaker, dishing out nine assists and adding four goals of her own despite missing some time mid-season.

Behind that leading trio, Tufts has enjoyed contributions from a deep supporting cast. Waverly Sumner's six assists highlight her steady influence on the wing, and Claire Brady, Maren Jones, and Lena Sugrue have chipped in multiple goals, giving the attack balance and unpredictability.

In total, 12 different Jumbos have recorded at least one point this season, illustrating the team's ability to generate offense from every position on the field. The unit's 137 corner kicks, a league-high that more than triples their opponents' total, underscore how often they've been on the front foot.

Defensively, Tufts has been nearly unbreakable. The back line has limited opponents to just 114 total shots all season — an average of only 7.1 per game — while allowing just seven goals. That equates to a 0.44 goals-against average, the second-best mark in the conference. The Jumbos have posted 10 shutouts and have not allowed more than two goals in any match this year. Their ability to maintain control and minimize high-quality chances has been the backbone of their success.

In goal, Gigi Edwards has been outstanding throughout her 13 starts, boasting a 0.39 goals-against average and an impressive .894 save percentage while recording a NESCAC-high seven solo shutouts. She has been supported by a strong rotation that includes Greta Steege, who went 3-0-0 with one shutout in limited action. Together, the group has anchored a defense that has yielded just seven goals in 1,440 minutes of play.

The defensive unit in front of Edwards has been anchored by Segrue and sophomore Phoebe Marsick, along with outside backs Maggie Rogers and Anna Griffin. 

A Look at the Rest of the Tournament
Colby has put together one of its strongest seasons in recent memory, finishing the regular season 10-3-3 overall and 5-3-2 in NESCAC play. The Mules' consistency has been built on a blend of defensive stability and opportunistic attacking play, helping them post an unbeaten 7-0-3 record away from home. That road resilience has powered their rise in the conference standings, capped by a signature 2-0 win at Amherst to close the regular season.

Offensively, Colby averaged just over two goals per game (33 total) and outshot opponents 302-153 across 16 matches. Abigail Jarvi has been the centerpiece of the attack, leading the team with 10 goals and 21 points, including four game-winners. Supporting her has been a balanced group of contributors, Amanda Schneider (5 goals, 2 assists), Claire Walsh (4 goals, 3 assists), and Ella Caraluzzi (2 goals, 4 assists), each providing key moments throughout the year. Midfielders like Avery Barton and Madison Genser have also been creative forces, combining for nine total points and providing steady two-way play.

Colby's offense has been especially effective in the second half of matches, where the Mules have scored 23 of their 33 goals, often pulling away late with fitness and depth. Their 101 corner kicks to opponents' 68 reflect how often they control territory and sustain attacking pressure. While efficient offensively, they've also been disciplined, committing only slightly more fouls than their opponents and avoiding costly cards.

On the defensive side, the Mules have been equally strong, allowing just 12 goals all season for a 0.75 team goals-against average. Goalkeeper Sadie Gardner has been a steadying presence with a .821 save percentage and five combined shutouts, while MK Marshall has added depth in net with a 0.86 GAA and one shutout of her own. Together with Talia Thompson, who went 2-0 with a 0.44 GAA, Colby's goalkeeping group has been among the most consistent in the NESCAC.

Middlebury came out firing in Saturday's conference quarterfinals, tallying two first-half goals en route to a 2-0 triumph over sixth-seeded Hamilton.

The squad pursues its first NESCAC title since 2021 and its sixth overall.
Middlebury has secured a spot in 24 of the 25 conference tournaments since 2000. That metric is tied with three other programs for the second most in the championships' history. The Panthers are tied for second with 25 victories in the conference postseason. Only Williams has more, tallying 33 in 24 appearances.

Middlebury clinched its 17th NESCAC Semifinals berth, marking the first time in four years that the squad has made the final weekend. The Panthers have secured double-digit wins in eight of the last 10 competitive seasons. Middlebury has 14 different goal scorers and 19 players with a point heading into the weekend.

Olivia Colby paces the team with five assists and nine points. Her five helpers are slotted in a share for fifth in the conference. Taya McClennen and Gigi Day have been standout performers in the midfield. McClennen owns a squad-best four goals, while Day is right behind with three, including the game-winner in Saturday's quarterfinals against the Continentals.

Middlebury's defense is tied with Williams for the fewest goals allowed (six). Livia Davidson continued her strong senior campaign in net, making eight stops against Hamilton for her sixth shutout of the year. The goalie has allowed the fewest goals (four) and paces the NESCAC with a 0.933 save percentage.

Williams cruised to a 3-0 triumph over Bowdoin in Saturday's conference quarterfinals.

The Ephs are making their 20th appearance in the semifinals and look to make the NESCAC Championship match for the 14th time. Williams is also tied with Amherst for the most conference titles with eight.

The squad has 10 different goal scorers and 13 players who have recorded at least one point. Williams has not conceded a goal in five of the last six contests and has held opposing offenses to 9.9 shots per contest.  Maya Lloyd paces the Ephs offense with eight goals and 18 points.

The forward/midfielder comes into the weekend with a point or more in three consecutive games. Elizabeth Stophel (4G, 8A) and Lucy Carrel (6G) complete the Williams' trio of double-digit point getters with 16 and 12, respectively. Stophel's eight helpers are tied for second in the conference alongside Wesleyan's Maria Utz.

The Ephs' defense has been bolstered by Reece Willison and Paige Nelson, who each have tallied over 1,000 minutes played. Ansley Burns has started all 16 contests and contributed two goals and three assists.
In goal, Margaret Huelin paces the conference with 10 shutouts and has a 0.380 goals against average (GAA).