WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. (October 24, 2026) – The No. 1 Tufts University field hockey team clinched the top seed for the NESCAC Tournament today with a 3-2 win at Williams College.

Once again, the top-ranked Jumbos faced a stiff challenge from a conference opponent but pulled out the victory to remain undefeated. Tufts trailed twice before winning on junior Riley Schmidt's goal with 2:19 left in regulation.

Tufts improved to 14-0 overall and 9-0 in the NESCAC, extending its winning streak to 19 games. Today's one-goal win joins three overtime victories over conference opponents Wesleyan, Hamilton and Bates earlier this season.

The Jumbos will play for a perfect NESCAC record in their regular-season finale Tuesday night at home against Bowdoin College.

The Ephs (10-4, 6-3) led 1-0 and 2-1 and finished with advantages of 14-8 in shots and 10-7 in corners.

Williams scored first, less than 90 seconds into the game. First-year Hannah Herlihy controlled a Tufts aerial clear at midfield and pushed the ball up to senior Madeline Rowland, who charged into the circle and scored on a tough-angle shot from the right side to make it 1-0.

The Jumbos built late momentum in the first quarter and used it to tie the score. On a corner, sophomore Eleanor Helm inserted the ball to the top of the circle, where junior Ellie Wilkins settled it for a shot by junior Eleanor Luft. Senior Reagan Malo got her stick on it in front and scored with 19 seconds left in the period.

In the second quarter, the Ephs retook the lead on a corner. Senior Claire Colvin inserted, then received the ball back for a shot from the left side that senior Keira Harden deflected in with 3:35 left before halftime.

Tufts answered about a minute later, again on a corner. Helm inserted to senior Claire Casey, who slid a pass to the right to Luft. Her blast with 2:35 left in the quarter tied the game at 2-2.

Williams controlled play for most of the second half, including a fourth-quarter corner on which Tufts senior goalie Isabel Ginns made three saves.

The Jumbos finished strong, though. Officials disallowed an apparent goal by Helm with 4:48 left in the fourth quarter after a video review. Less than a minute later, Williams junior goalie Ellie Smith smothered a Helm pass to Schmidt in front that had set up a good scoring chance.

Tufts then earned a corner with 2:25 remaining. Senior Lilly Ragusa's insert went to Casey, who moved it to Luft, who sent it through the defense to Schmidt on the left side of the cage. Schmidt's shot beat Smith for the game-winner.

Ginns finished with eight saves, including six in the second half and four in the fourth quarter. Luft's goal and two assists gave her a career-high four points.

Smith made five saves for the Ephs.

This is the fifth year and second in a row that Tufts has earned the #1 seed in NESCAC (2025, 2016, 2010, 2008).