MEDFORD, MA (October 12, 2026) -- Junior Maren Jones and senior Emily Nicholas each bagged their fifth goals of the season Monday, and junior keeper Greta Steege picked up her first shutout of the season as the No. 3 Tufts University women's soccer team defeated visiting Rivier University on Bello Field in an out-of-conference clash. 

The Jumbos (8-0-2) controlled action for the entirety of the game, outshooting the Raiders (8-4-2) 35-4 including a 16-2 edge in shots on goal. 

Tufts had an early pair of good chances by senior forward Hannah Batt, but both attempts were stopped by Rivier goalkeeper Olivia Rosario.

The breakthrough for the Jumbos came in the 20th minute, as Jones was able to net her fifth goal of the season right out in front of goal. Nicholas played a ball into the box with some backspin that eluded a clearance from a Raider defender, and Jones half-vollied a shot into the left side of the net to put Tufts ahead 1-0. 

The attempts continued to come for the Jumbos, but another tally wouldn't come in the first half despite a 13-0 shot edge in the opening stanza. 

Tufts would increase the pressure in the second half, taking 22 shots after halftime but the insurance goal wouldn't come into the 75th minute despite great chances early in the half. Nicholas banged a left-footed shot off the crossbar early in the period, and then Batt also ripped a shot off the woodwork in the 59th minute. 

The Raiders got their first attempt on goal in the 71st minute, as Ciarra Terry ripped an attempt from 20 yards out from the right wing but it was handled by Steege. 

Jones looked to have doubled her tally on the day in the 74th minute, but her attempt was saved off the line by a Rivier defender. Second later though, the Jumbos finally doubled its lead on a fantastic individual effort from Nicholas. The senior midfielder got the ball at midfield, eluded four defenders and ripped a shot in the bottom left corner for the tally. The five goals equal her career-high from her sophomore season. 

Once again in the 80th minute Jones had a clear goal saved off the line by a Raider player, the final good chance on goal for the Jumbos. In the 90th minute, Steege had some work to do on a shot by Bailey Gatchell but she calmly made the save to preserve the Jumbos' fifth shutout of the season and third straight. 

Tufts held a big 14-1 edge on corner kicks for the day, a season-high for the Jumbos. It was also the most corner in a game since tallying 16 against Bridgewater State October 22, 2025. The 35 shots were the most since taking 35 against Lesley University in the NCAA First Round last year. 

Rosario made 12 stops between the pipes for the Raiders. 

Tufts returns to action Saturday, October 17 at Bates College at noon in Lewiston, Maine in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play.