MEDFORD, MA (March 28, 2026) -- The No. 3 Tufts University women's lacrosse team nearly rallied from a late three-goal deficit against No. 1 Middlebury College, but a late equalizer whizzed just high in the dying moments as the Panthers held on for an 11-10 victory on Bello Field in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play Saturday.
Prior to the game, both teams observed a moment of silence to honor the life and legacy of Madie Nicpon, who tragically passed away back in 2021. Every season, Tufts honors Nicpon with one game being designated as "Scooter's Game," and one player is voted to wear Nicpon's No. 2 for the Jumbos. This season, senior
Elsa Schutt was bestowed with the honor.
On a cold and windy day on Bello Field, the contest could not have started any better for the Jumbos (7-2, 2-2 NESCAC) as
Eleanor Helm netted a goal just 14 seconds into the contest to put Tufts ahead early.
The two teams exchanged goals over the first four minutes, but a score from
Grace Hammond with 55 seconds remaining in the first half made it 3-2 for Tufts going to the second frame.
The Hammond strike started a three-goal run for the hosts, as a woman-up goal from Schutt at the 11:45 mark of the second period made it 5-2 Tufts. Middlebury answered back with two straight Skylar Lach goals but a
Sophia Claps strike with 91 seconds left in the half gave the Jumbos a 6-4 lead at the halftime intermission.
After halftime, Tufts extended its edge to three at 7-4 at the 12:30 spot of the third frame on a
Kate Deehan goal, but Middlebury answered with four straight goals to finish the third quarter to take an 8-7 advantage going to the fourth quarter.
The Jumbos stopped the Panthers' run early in the fourth quarter thanks to a
Schuyler Lloyd goal, and had chances to take the lead by Elizabeth Savage made a big save to keep it tied at eight.
Middlebury scored the game's next three goals to make it 11-8 with five minutes to play, but the Jumbos wouldn't go away. Helm scored with 3:30 to go in regulation on a Schutt pass, and a Lloyd score with 1:08 to go pulled Tufts to within one at 11-10. First-year
Mia Sommer got the ensuing draw control, and Tufts had a good look at goal in with 11 seconds left but the shot missed just high as Middlebury held on for the win.
Tufts outshot the Panthers 26-21 for the game, while finishing the game a clean 19-fo-19 on clear attempts. Tufts also posted a 20-12 edge in ground balls, while forcing 16 turnovers by the Panthers.
Senior
Allie Zorn had a goal and three assists for four points, while Helm also tallied two goals to go with two assists for four points. Lloyd tallied two goals and an assist along with three ground balls, while Schutt finished with a goal, assist, three ground balls and six draw controls.
Deehan also added two goals for the Jumbos, and senior
Nicola Donlan recorded two caused turnovers and four ground balls. Sophomore
Devon Chipman stopped six shots for Tufts in 51 minutes of play, while
Sophie Powless came in for relief late and made one stop.
Lach had a game-high six points on four goals and two assists, while Caroline Adams had three goals, two assists and four draw controls. Savage had 10 stops between the pipes for Middlebury, and Emma McCann had two draw wins, three caused turnovers and two grounders as well.
Tufts will return to action Wednesday April 1 at 4 p.m., battling Williams College in NESCAC action on Bello Field.
--JUMBOS--
