MEDFORD, MA (September 12, 2026) – The No. 4 ranked Tufts University women's soccer team delivered two goals in quick succession during the second half to collect a 2-1 victory over No. 24 ranked Colby in the conference and home-opener.
 
The Jumbos (2-0-0, 1-0-0 NESCAC) and the Mules (2-1-0, 1-1-0 NESCAC) held each other off the scoreboard in the opening 45 minutes, but Waverly Sumner and Audrey Cromett tallied goals 73 seconds apart to give the Jumbos a stable 2-0 advantage in the final half. Grace Missett of Colby found the back of the net for the Mules with 5 seconds remaining in the game to spoil Gigi Edwards shutout effort. 
 
Changes in possession and midfield play was the early trend in this match as the first shot attempt did not come until Maren Jones put a shot just wide of the left post just under 15 minutes into the contest. Neve Taylor gave Edwards her first test of the afternoon with a simple strike into the chest. Tufts held a four to nothing corner kick advantage heading into halftime.
 
Colby came out of the break with an attacking mindset as Eloisa Luczkow kept Edwards on her toes with another shot into the hands of the ready goalkeeper. Tufts, however, reached the board first after Sumner pushed in her first of the season in the 62nd minute. Jordan Miller sent in a beautiful cross that took a bounce off the Colby netminder and found Sumner's foot for the lead.
 
Audrey Crommett tacked on another score for the Jumbos just 73 ticks later to make it 2-0 for Tufts. Maren Jones curled in a picture perfect corner kick opportunity that found Crommett, who headed the ball past Sadie Gardner for her second of the season. Tufts strong effort and consistent second half zone pressure paid off in a big way to bolster their lead.
 
Colby erased the blank sheet opportunity with a last second corner kick sequence that lead to a Grace Missett tally. Madison Genser found Missett on the back post and Missett guided her header to the opposite side of the goal to beat Edwards.
 
Edwards and Gardner finished with three saves each, while junior defender Phoebe Marsick and senior defender Rachel Arcella played the full 90 minutes for the Jumbos. Tufts applied their attacking mentality heavily in the second half, leading the shot department 10 to four in the final 45 minutes.
 
The Jumbos are back to it on Tuesday as they will head to Middletown, CT for more conference play against Wesleyan at 6 PM.