Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA - Despite Becca Bell's three-goal effort, No. 16 Williams (5-3, 2-3 NESCAC) fell to No. 11 Tufts University (8-2, 4-2 NESCAC) Wednesday night on Farley-Lamb Field. Though faced with an early 4-0 deficit, the Ephs fought back to bring the game to 6-4. Taylor Meek's goal with 18:11 remaining in the game sealed Tufts' third consecutive NESCAC victory.
The Jumbos opened the scoring just 43 seconds into the half on a Brigid Bowser free-position shot. Following Natalie Gill's ('16) draw control, the Ephs maintained a lengthy possession, but were unable to capitalize on shots by Bridget Malicki ('15) and Maeve Mulholland ('15). Tufts responded to the Ephs' threatening offensive possession with three consecutive goals by Caroline Ross, Kali Digate, and Lindsey Walker. Tufts could have extended their streak to 5, if not for Eph netminder Margaret Draper ('17), who made a diving kick save on a free-position chance.
Becca Bell was the first Eph to find the back of the net, doing so by way of Anne Rehfuss at 8:57. The game remained 4-1 for several minutes, largely because of the play of Draper and Tufts' Hannah Wiltshire. Natalie Gill broke the game's scoreless stretch at 2:55 on a free-position attempt, her 9th of the season. Though Malicki and Chodos fired high-quality chances toward the goal as time wound down in the half, Wiltshire was equal to the task, and the Ephs headed to the locker room down 4-2.
The Jumbos finished the half ahead in shots, 12-9, and ground balls, 11-7. Both Draper and Wiltshire managed 5 saves.
Tufts' Brigid Bowser controlled the opening draw and scored at 29:20 to bring the Jumbo's lead to three. Shortly thereafter, Williams' Becca Bell tallied her second of the game at 27:33. The Ephs controlled the ensuing possession, and hurled several shots toward Wiltshire, but she did not waver. Following Tufts' sixth goal of the game, Hillary Cook ('15) buried a free-position shot with 20:41 to bring the Ephs to within 2.
Jumbo's Taylor Meek scored what would be the game-winning goal at 18:11 on a Kali Digate pass from X. Down 8-4 with 10 minutes to play, Williams dominated possession, managing to collect goals from Nancy Palmer ('15) and Becca Bell. Though the Ephs threatened to score as the game came to a close, Tufts controlled possession and ran out the clock, ending the game at 8-6.
Williams was led in scoring by senior Becca Bell, who found the back of the net 3 times and collected 1 ground ball. Tufts was propelled by Brigid Bowser, who managed 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 ground balls.
Jumbo's netminder, Hannah Wiltshire, fashioned 10 saves on 16 Eph chances. Margaret Draper finished the game with 5 saves on 13 Jumbo shots.
Next up for Tufts University is Wesleyan University on Saturday, April 4. The Ephs travel to Amherst, MA, to square off with rival Amherst College on Friday, April 3, at 6PM.
