Babson Wins Top 10 Battle Over Tufts 2-1 in Overtime

BABSON PARK, MA (September 17, 2025) - An overtime goal by Caroline DiGiovanni gave sixth-ranked Babson College a 2-1 victory over #7 Tufts University in field hockey action between Top 10 teams tonight.

Both goals in regulation were scored on penalty strokes. The visiting Jumbos controlled play for most of the game, earning a 16-1 advantage in penalty corners. However, they could not capitalize and the game went to overtime tied 1-1.

In the extra session, Babson's Grace Mullaney intercepted a Tufts pass at midfield and sent DiGiovanni in alone on goal. She blasted a shot from just inside the circle for the game-winner with 1:20 on the clock.

Claire Casey had got the Jumbos started by scoring on a stroke in the middle of the first quarter. It's her second penalty-stroke goal of the year and third goal overall. Tufts would hold that lead until halftime while putting four shots on goal in the second period.

Early in the third period, Babson evened the score when they were awarded a stroke and Penny Baroni converted. The Jumbos would earn seven consecutive corner attempts in the final three and a half minutes of the third, but could not make use of them.

Tufts continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter, with four more corner opportunities early. However, again Babson was able to thwart Tufts' chances.

The Beavers earned their first and only corner with 3:20 remaining in regulation, but a shot by Emma Smith went wide. Tufts closed regulation with another corner that saw a Hannah Biccard shot blocked.

The seven-on-seven overtime period opened with Babson getting the first good chance. Two minutes in, Tufts goalie Lydia Eastburn charged out to smother an attempt by Laney Reed.

The Jumbos had a corner and would put four shots on goal later in the OT sesssion, including one by Casey that hit the post. Babson goalie Madison Tibbals made three saves during the Jumbo flurry.

Before long, the Beavers were rushing the field to celebrate the win while the Jumbos contemplated a tough defeat.

Shots finished 14-7 in favor of Tufts with 8-5 on goal. Tibbals made seven saves in the Babson goal while Eastburn had three stops for Tufts. The Jumbos dropped to 3-2 overall while Babson improved to 5-1.