Colby denies Tufts a playoff spot

The Tufts field hockey team saw its playoff hopes slip though its fingers Saturday afternoon, as it fell to Colby in a marathon match decided by penalty strokes. With the 3-2 loss, Tufts was eliminated from the NESCAC playoff hunt and ended the season with a 4-10 overall record and a 3-6 eighth place league finish.

Tufts jumped ahead early when senior tri-captain Laura Hacker belted an unassisted shot past the Colby goalie in heavy traffic. The goal gave the Jumbos energy and confidence.

For the duration of the first half, play quickly moved from one end of the field to the other. Junior attacker Liz Hayden had several fast drives up the sidelines only to be thwarted by the Mule defense. The Jumbos were also solid in their own zone, clearing the ball out to the sidelines and keeping penalty corners to a minimum allowing only two in the first thirty-five minutes of action.

Goal keeping was also a Tufts' strength for the majority of the first frame. Senior keeper Lauren Rufino made a tremendous save late in the half, falling head over heels to block an open Colby shot. She earned eight saves in the match.

With just five minutes remaining before the halftime intermission, Colby junior Kim Betz finished a centering pass from freshman Nikki Stadelman to even the score. Tufts had a frantic last few minutes taking two penalty corners, but failed to capitalize before halftime.

Colby used the momentum from its late first half goal to its advantage in the opening minutes of the second frame. The Mules had two early corners and kept play on the Tufts end of the field. The Jumbos found themselves in a few precarious spots, but still managed to keep the score tied for twenty-six minutes due to tenacious defense.

Although playing primarily in their own territory, the Jumbos did have a golden opportunity to take the lead midway through the second half. Tufts drove the ball deep into the circle, desperately trying to score.

The Colby goalie, senior Carrie Morin, lost her balance and fell onto the ball giving Tufts a penalty stroke. Sophomore Jayme Heller took the shot, but was denied as the ball skirted off Morin's leg pad and away from the net.

Colby gained more momentum after the unsuccessful penalty stroke and continued to assault the Tufts defense. With just under ten minutes remaining, the ball snuck past three Tufts defenders and went straight to Colby junior Sari Gilbert. Gilbert one-touched the renegade ball into the back of the net giving the Mules a 2-1 advantage.

A new sense of urgency sparked the Tufts offense back into gear. Senior tri-captain Ursula Stahl took the ball all the way up the sideline and drove it into the circle. After a chaotic moment in which neither team had possession, Tufts junior Liz Hayden rocketed a shot past Morin to tie the score at two with 4:01 remaining. The game remained tied for the remainder of regulation.

During the first fifteen minute extra period, intensity and aggression on the field increased a notch. With six players rather than the regular eleven on each side, the ball moved more freely. Play went from one end of the field to the other with scoring opportunities coming on nearly every drive for both teams.

Tufts had several breakaways from Hacker and freshman Lea Napolitano, but the Colby defense scrambled back in time. The period ended with the score still deadlocked at two and both squads running on fumes.

While the first overtime was mainly about fast paced intensity, the second extra frame conveyed the exhaustion associated with eighty-five minutes of running. Both teams, though still fired up, were completely worn out. Play continued to move from end to end, but at a slower different speed. Missed shots and fatigue kept the game tied through the fifteen minutes forcing penalty strokes to determine the winner.

Tufts shot first in the best-of-five opening round. Hacker's shot was blocked, but Rufino saved the countering Colby attempt. Junior Willow Hagge and Heller scored, but sophomore Dana Panzer and freshman Therese Corsello did not. Colby also made two goals forcing extra shots to determine the outcome.

The Jumbos kept up with Colby for the first four extra shots. But, the Jumbos hopes for a much-needed victory were dashed as Colby sophomore Michaelyn Bortolotti beat Rufino while Heller was denied by Morin.

As Colby celebrated, the downcast Jumbos huddled together in the chilly afternoon sun. Later, they learned that Amherst had beaten Trinity to secure the coveted seventh spot in the NESCAC playoff tournament and thus ended Tufts' season.