GETTYSBURG, PA (March 18, 2026). -- A dominant first half and balanced offensive attack lifted No. 3 Tufts University to a 16-12 road victory over No. 7 Gettysburg on Wednesday afternoon at Clark Field in non-conference women's lacrosse play.
The Jumbos (5-1) placed seven different players in the scoring column and used a decisive second-quarter surge to seize control of the game, building a lead they would not relinquish.
Tufts wasted little time getting on the board, as Elsa Schutt opened the scoring just 52 seconds into the contest. After Gettysburg answered to tie the game at 1-1, the Jumbos responded with a steady offensive rhythm. Goals from Neta Leschly and Sophia Claps helped Tufts regain the lead, while Kate Deehan and Allie Zorn added back-to-back tallies to stretch the margin to 5-2 midway through the first quarter.
Gettysburg (4-3) stayed within striking distance behind a strong performance from Julia Daly, who scored twice in the opening frame. However, Eleanor Helm capped the quarter with a goal in the final minutes to give Tufts a 6-3 advantage after one.
The Bullets opened the second quarter with three consecutive goals from Daly, tying the game at 6-6 and briefly shifting momentum. Out of a timeout, Tufts delivered its most decisive stretch of the afternoon. Helm ignited the response, sparking a 7-1 run over the final 6:13 of the half.
Claps converted on a free-position opportunity, Zorn added an unassisted goal, and Anna Mollahan finished a man-up chance to extend the lead. Helm scored twice more during the run, while Deehan buried a late goal with 36 seconds remaining, sending Tufts into halftime with a commanding 13-7 edge.
Gettysburg attempted to chip away in the second half, opening the third quarter with two quick goals to cut the deficit to four. Leschly answered with a free-position goal to halt the momentum, but Daly continued her standout performance to keep the Bullets within reach.
The hosts pulled within 14-12 midway through the fourth quarter following goals from Daly and Charlotte Wilkinson, but Tufts responded once again. Deehan finished a feed from Zorn with 6:46 remaining to restore a three-goal cushion, and Helm sealed the victory with her fifth goal of the game in the final minute.
Helm led all scorers with five goals and two assists, while Zorn totaled five points on two goals and three assists. Deehan added a hat trick, and Leschly contributed two goals, an assist, five draw controls, and three caused turnovers in a strong all-around performance.
Defensively, Tufts held a 19-16 edge in ground balls and forced nine caused turnovers. Nicola Donlan and Sophie Haas each recorded two caused turnovers, while the Jumbos' midfield play helped produce 15 draw controls. Goalkeeper Devon Chipman made seven saves to earn the win.
Daly paced Gettysburg with eight goals, accounting for two-thirds of the Bullets' offense.
Tufts finished with a 33-30 advantage in shots and capitalized on key second-quarter opportunities to secure its second win over a top-10 opponent this season.
Tufts will take on No. 21 Trinity College Saturday in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play on Bello Field.
--JUMBOS--
