MEDFORD, MA (October 10, 2026) – In a showdown between #1-ranked Tufts University and #2 Middlebury College, the Jumbos remained undefeated by scoring twice in the second half to take a 2-0 win over the Panthers on Senior Day at Ounjian Field.

The win is the 16th in a row for the Jumbos dating back to last season, establishing a new winning streak record for the program. Now 11-0 overall and 7-0 in NESCAC, Tufts takes over sole possession of first place in the conference. The 11 straight wins to start the season are the most for the team since 2008.

Middlebury (8-2, 5-1 NESCAC) had the better of the play in the first half. However, Tufts got goals from sophomore Eleanor Helm late in the third quarter and another from sophomore Scarlett Carpenter early in the fourth, while senior goalie Isabel Ginns made nine saves in the Jumbos' fifth shutout of the season.

Particularly in the first quarter, Middlebury was taking it to the Jumbos with offensive pressure. Play evened out in the second quarter, though Middlebury had a pair of strong scoring chances early in the period. A shot by first-year Anna Powell was stopped by a defensive save from Tufts sophomore Kate Wahler, and moments later Panther senior Claire McMichael hit the post. The officials went to video review for McMichael's shot and confirmed no goal.

Tufts established some momentum in the third quarter and would get the game's first goal on a late corner. The insert by Helm was controlled by sophomore Riley Pearson for senior Katarina Villa up top. She sent the ball left to junior Eleanor Luft, who moved it down to Helm open outside of the left post. She drove the ball into the far side of the goal with just 15 seconds remaining in the third to put Tufts ahead 1-0.

Helm, last week's NFHCA National Offensive Player of the Week, appeared to score again one minute into the fourth, but following video review the officials disallowed the goal.

The Jumbos would get another one soon after though to lead 2-0. After playing the ball back on a restart, Wahler carried it into the Middlebury zone and passed to Carpenter deep on the right side. She maneuvered past three Middlebury defenders into open space on the right side of the circle and whirled a shot into the far side of the cage for her first goal of the season with three minutes into the fourth.

Tufts had a two-goal cushion, but Ginns was outstanding over the remainder of the fourth quarter to lead Tufts to victory down the stretch. She made five saves as Middlebury attempted 10 shots in the fourth quarter, including two stops after the Panthers pulled their goalie to add an extra player to the attack. The nine saves were a career high for Ginns.

The visiting Panthers would finish with a 21-14 advantage in shots, as well as a 6-4 edge in corners. Middlebury, as they have done all season, started senior Izzy Redzic (4 saves) in goal and subbed in junior Madeline DiLemme (one save) for the second half.

Tufts seniors Claire Casey, Ginns, Reagan Malo, Lilly Ragusa and Villa were saluted in a pre-game ceremony.