Medford, MA – A second half strike from
Meredith Tutun brought Williams back on the right track as Tufts fell to the Ephs 1-0. An excellent defensive performance was the foundation for the win, with especially strong performances from
Reece Willison and
Paige Nelson.
The Jumbos were the stronger team for the first 15 minutes, with the ball largely in Williams' half. The Ephs were able to weather this early storm, however, and despite a couple of shots from Tufts, the pressure was eventually absorbed.
Williams grew into the game, with a chance from
Ansley Burns inches away from opening the scoring. Burns' 18th minute shot hit the crossbar, but marked the definitive end of Tufts dominance in the game.
During a five minute span starting in the 23rd minute, the Ephs peppered the Tufts defense with chances. A 24th minute shot from Tutun went wide left. In the 25th minute a give-and-go between
Riley Borenstein and
Blakeley Buckingham unleashed Buckingham, whose shot beat Tufts 'keeper Gigi Edwards, but was cleared off the line by a Jumbo defender. A pair of corner kicks were also a part of this period of pressure.
Tufts had opportunities of their own, with shots a half hour in forcing saves from goalkeeper
Ana Bozzi-Mackay, who ended the game with seven saves.
With seven minutes left in the half, midfielder
Kianna Porter forced a save out of Edwards, and the teams went into half time with the match locked at 0-0.
While both teams started the second half brightly, it was Williams who would take the lead with 55 minutes played.
Brianna Wright took the ball down the left side and cut inside at the 18-yard box. Cutting back again, she opened up space for a shot and the rebound fell for Tutun, who had put herself in the right place at the right time. She slotted the ball into the bottom left, sending the substantial away support into celebration.
Later in the second half, there were shots by forwards
Isabel Konijnenberg and
Bria Abbiati, as well as Borenstein, who had an all-action display.
In the final five minutes, shots by Tutun and Tufts' Emily Nicholas were saved by Edwards and Bozzi-Mackay respectively.
The game ended 1-0, ending a Williams winless streak. Excellent defending and a possession effort spearheaded by
Jaquelin Nordhoff were a springboard for the Ephs' attacking effort and are signs of good things to come.
After the game, Eph head coach
Sarah Raymond said: "So proud of us today, we showed up ready to compete and play to our strengths. Our defense played lights out and were so switched on. Big moments for our central midfielders controlling the tempo of the game and our flanks and forwards worked their butts off to keep them under pressure. Overall, a fantastic team effort against a very good NESCAC team in Tufts."
The Ephs are back in action on Cole field next Saturday at noon for a Senior Day matchup against Trinity.
