To be the best, you've got to play the best. And it's even better when you beat them.
The field hockey team got a huge win at home last night, knocking off Div. II Bentley, 1-0, under the lights to move to 4-2 on the season. The Jumbos left Bello Field with their first win against a Div. II team since 1998, a little payback for a 3-2 overtime loss to the Falcons last season and, just maybe, the game they needed to break the 2006 season wide open.
"Everything we've been hoping for and telling each other we could do came together, and we came away with a huge win," senior co-captain and goalkeeper Marilyn Duffy-Cabana said.
The Falcons entered the game ranked third nationally in Div. II and riding an 8-0 win over Assumption on Saturday that gave coach Kelly McGowan her 200th career victory. But they met a smart and resilient Tufts defense that saved its best game for a worthy opponent, denying the Falcons en route to its second shutout of the season.
"We know what we're capable of, and we know we can play with these teams and pull out close games," Duffy-Cabana said. "It was awesome to have everything come together and to know that down the line, no matter what situation we're in, we're capable of pulling it out."
In a game that starred the Jumbos' defense, freshman forward Michelle Kelly gave the Jumbos all they would need. Five minutes into the second half, Kelly reverse-flicked a pass from senior forward Kathleen Martin past freshman goalkeeper Alyssa Sliney for her third goal of the season.
"[Kelly] has been awesome stepping in. I've always felt confident that our offense could get the job done," Duffy-Cabana said. "Sometimes they just need an extra spark, and she's done a great job with the rest of the forwards in not yielding to the defense and finishing the job."
The Falcons' own offense showcased speed, crisp passing and tight dribbling, as well as two of the strongest forwards in New England in seniors Lindsey Harrington and Mary Rogers. The pair has combined for 15 goals this season and nearly two-thirds of the Falcons' shots on goal.
The Tufts back five shut down a potent Bentley offense that scored 25 goals in its first eight games of the season. Senior co-captain Stacey Watkins commanded the corps at center back, and several Tufts defenders came up with key saves to protect a slim second-half lead.
"The defense is just gelling; they know where each other are," coach Tina McDavitt said. "We've been going over different situations in practice, and they've been taking it into the game. The five of them are really communicating and getting it done."
"We knew they'd be fast, and we knew they'd be good, and all we can do against that is play fundamentally sound defense," Duffy-Cabana said.
The Falcons held a sizeable 15-6 shot margin but could not find the back of the cage. Duffy-Cabana provided nine saves, including several one-on-ones with Bentley forwards and several strong clears that sent the ball safely to the midfield.
"I've been working on stepping up on the ball a lot more and communicating with [the defense]," Duffy-Cabana said. "I know the balls I want to take; it's just a matter of focusing on them and having the defense get ready for the rebounds."
With last year's overtime theatrics playing out under the lights, the stage was set for a huge win, and the Jumbos delivered. The win was their third straight - a first since October 2004 - and their second straight shutout, welcome news as the team heads into the league-heavy portion of its schedule.
"We're definitely gaining momentum," McDavitt said. "The girls' skill level is high, but attitude is just awesome."
And according to McDavitt, much of that mental edge starts with the team's co-captains, a pair of defensive keystones that have held steadfast in the Jumbos' strong play as of late.
"You see [Watkins and Duffy-Cabana] in the backfield together," McDavitt said. "They're really setting the tone and coming into their own as captains - it's the way they carry themselves, and it's spreading."
Looking for their first four-game win streak since the 2000 season, the Jumbos will face NESCAC rival Bates this Saturday for Homecoming. Although the Bobcats fall in the bottom third in all NESCAC statistics, they are 3-1 this season and have matched Tufts' schedule well with close wins over Babson (1-0) and Amherst (3-2, 2OT). Tufts has pulled out one-goal wins over both of these teams.
"[Bates has] a really good passing game, and they're really fit and pretty aggressive," McDavitt said. "They play on turf, and I think they're becoming a more and more skilled team."
"Bates has been playing well this year, and we know that no game in NESCAC is a given," Duffy-Cabana added. "We have to go in and take care of business; it's a new game, a new challenge."
And one for which the Jumbos - with a three-game win streak and a spring in their step - are finally ready.
