MEDFORD, MA (September 28, 2025) – Tufts University's winning streak moved to four games as the #8 Jumbos held off #24 University of Rochester for a 4-3 field hockey victory Sunday at Ounjian Field.
Tufts (7-2) led 3-1 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Yellowjackets (9-2) scored twice during the final frame to pull within scores of 3-2 and 4-3. However, the Jumbos were able to close out the victory and give Rochester their first loss in five games.
The Jumbos, who have struggled at times on penalty corner opportunities so far this season, were able to capitalize today. Their first goal came 90 seconds into the action on a corner when
Lilly Ragusa tipped in a shot by
Eleanor Luft.
Rochester would even the score on their first shot of the game with 3:16 to go until halftime. On a corner, Holly Newbold deflected in Kyla Byer's shot from the top of the circle and it was a 1-1 game at the half.
Tufts opened up a two-goal advantage in the third quarter.
Katarina Villa positioned herself in front of the goal to take a feed from
Eleanor Helm and score in the middle of the period for a 2-1 lead. Just two minutes later, Helm was at the left post to knock in a rebound for a goal of her own and a 3-1 Jumbo lead.
The hosts seemed to have the game in hand heading into the fourth quarter, but Rochester said otherwise. On a corner, inserter Sophia Marcotte got the ball back and sent a shot that Erin Foley deflected home making it 3-2 with 8:45 to go in regulation.
Tufts answered quickly though, on a corner, with
Hannah Biccard redirecting the shot by Villa for her eighth goal and a 4-2 margin.
Marcotte finished the scoring for Rochester, coming upon a loose ball, taking it into the circle and blasting a shot from the right side. However, with just 50 seconds remaining, the Jumbos were able to run out the clock.
Tufts had a notable advantage in play, earning totals of 25-3 in shots and 12-3 in corners. Kara Houston made 12 saves in the Rochester cage. Lydia
Eastburn, who started and played three quarters, and Isabell Ginns, who entered for the final 15 minutes, did not record a save for the Jumbos.
--JUMBOS--
