2025 Tufts University Women's Soccer Season Preview

MEDFORD, MA (September 4, 2025) - The Tufts University women's soccer team is ready to roll ahead of the 2025 season after a record-setting campaign last year.

"We're very excited for the fall," said head coach Martha Whiting. "We have a really good crew coming back, and a nice class of freshmen [as well]. We have a lot to look forward to, but we still have a lot to work on."

The Jumbos will start their fall with an immediate test as they host Williams in a season-opening NESCAC contest. The season will be split nearly 50-50 between home and road games, with the Jumbos hosting eight contests and traveling for seven others. 

Last season saw Tufts score more goals than in any other season in the program's history. Despite the notable achievement, Coach Whiting has "not even mentioned it."

"I feel like last year doesn't really impact this year with a new group," said the Jumbos' skipper. "All we have to do is score one more goal than the other team, and that's going to be the goal for this year."

The Jumbos are not concerned with thinking beyond what is immediately in front of them. Coach Whiting lauded the quality of Tufts' competition this coming season, and highlighted the importance of being 100% on top of their game every time they step on the pitch. "We wouldn't want it any other way. We really thrive on that competition. Playing the best teams is what can hopefully propel us forward."

The Jumbos hold the number 18 rank in the United Soccer Coaches National Preseason Poll, but it is clear that national rank is less of a concern to Tufts than taking each game on as it comes.

While the Jumbos welcome a new cadre of recruits into the fold, a number of last year's featuring players will also return.

The defenders will be without their captain Caroline O'Neill and dynamic fullback Jordan Cushner, but the return of senior Lena Sugrue and juniors Rachel Arcella and Cate Holzbeierlein means plenty of experienced talent will still be at the Jumbos back line. 

Maggie Rogers returns for her junior season on defense after missing last season to injury. "It's been great to see her out there," said Coach Whiting. "She really hasn't skipped a beat."

Senior Anna Griffin will slide into the right back position after embracing the role last fall. Griffin adds an offensive threat to the Tufts defense that can only be seen as an absolute luxury. "I tell them the first job is to defend," said Whiting. "If we can get our backs (sic) into the attack, that makes us so much more dangerous. We love the outside backs to get forward and mix things up in there…Anna does that really, really well."

Tufts' defense will welcome two new additions with the arrival of first years Alyssa Ruiz and Sydney Kassel. Ruiz joins the Jumbos after four years at Milton Academy, while Kassel comes from down south in Connecticut after winning a Northeast Girls Academy League Championship with New York Soccer Club 07 GA Girls. 

The Jumbos will return one of the most potent and dynamic midfields anywhere as they return senior Caroline Kelly and juniors Reese Birch and Emily Nicholas each coming back for another season. "They've all gotten better," said Whiting. "Believe it or not, they've pretty much picked up where they left off."

"In our game, if you can win the midfield battles and you can dominate the midfield, you're going to be ahead of the game to start."

The midfield will not rely solely on the efforts of the three core returners, as Aoife O'Reilly, Maren Jones and Sarah Hauck all return for another year. "Put them in and the level [of play] doesn't drop," said Whiting. "We are really fortunate to have such a strong midfield, and that helps out the forwards too."

Claire Brady and Kate Loparco both join the midfield as freshman, adding to the depth of what is one of the most talented areas of an incredibly talented team.

The forwards will be without the efforts of physical veteran Nicola Sommers, but will return the 2024 NESCAC Player of the Year in senior Elsi Aires after scoring 11 goals and adding five assists last year. Senior Juliana Rosen and junior Waverly Sumner each return on the wings of the Tufts offense. "We've got some good speed up there with Waverly, and Juliana is a full year back from her injury."

Sophomore Audrey Crommett returns for her second season in the blue and brown and is joined by first year newcomers Mia Usatin and Jordyn Miller. "If we can get [the forwards] to move and be dynamic and really work to confuse the other team, I think we're going to be in good shape," said Whiting.

Junior Gigi Edwards returns as the Jumbos starting goalkeeper, but will have plenty of assistance and competition behind her as senior Kianna Hill and sophomore Greta Steege return for another year. Edwards totalled 73 saves last year, and has been "working on her overall game."

First year Lindsay Fouché joins the goalkeeping corps after a stellar career with Montclair Kimberley Academy and Cedar Stars Academy, highlighted by two NJ High School State Prep Finals appearances.

"We have a pretty talented crew. Steege is super talented, Kianna is back from her injury, and a freshman in Fouché," said Whiting. "The nice thing about them is that they all work each other really hard and they're each other's biggest fans. They work to make each other better every day."

The Jumbos will begin their quest for conference and national glory this Saturday afternoon on Bello Field as the Williams Ephs come over to Medford for a season-opening NESCAC tilt at 12:30 pm.