Women's Lacrosse | Tufts falls to Williams in first-round NESCAC matchup

    After finishing the regular season with a record of 10-5, the Tufts Jumbos earned the fifth seed in the NESCAC tournament and drew a matchup with the Williams Ephs in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Although the game remained close throughout the first half, the fourth-seeded Ephs pulled away in the second half, winning 11-6.
    The game began as a defensive battle, with neither team scoring in the first six minutes. Junior midfielder Lindsey Walker scored the game's opening goal on a crisp pass from senior midfielder Eliza Halmo. However, the Ephs answered back six and a half minutes later with a goal from junior midfielder Rebecca Bell. Midway through the first half, the teams had combined for just two goals, but starting at the 15-minute mark, both offenses began lighting up the scoreboard.
    Tufts sophomore attacker Caroline Ross netted a free-position shot to give her team the lead, but Williams senior midfielder Rebecca McGovern scored a free-position shot of her own just 17 seconds later.
    In the first matchup between the two teams earlier this month, the Ephs were led by McGovern and junior attacker Bridget Malicki. This quarterfinal game was no different. After combining for seven goals in their earlier meeting, McGovern and Malicki combined for five goals in this game.
    Malicki scored Williams' next goal and then assisted on the team's fourth of the day, which was netted by junior midfielder Alyssa Amos. Sophomore midfielder Brigid Bowser ended Tufts' six-minute scoring drought by sprinting around the aggressive Williams defense and firing the ball past senior goalkeeper Ali Piltch.
    "After losing to Williams earlier this season, we needed to focus on picking up the pace," Bowser said. "We play a very fast game, and our plan was to make sure Williams did not control the tempo. We had to focus on playing our game, and not worry about their [game]."
    Junior goalkeeper Rachel Gallimore could not stop the Ephs late in the first half, as Amos, McGovern and freshman midfielder Jenna Chodus all found the back of the net. Tufts scored once more on another goal from Walker and the team went into the half down 7-4.
    While the Jumbos had several bright spots in the game, they went 1 for 11 on free-position shots, and they lost 13 draws. Tufts had plenty of opportunities, but its inability to capitalize was the team's downfall.
    The beginning of the second half mirrored the first, as neither offense had any early goals. Piltch was a main reason for Tufts' lack of success. She had four saves and continued to halt the high-powered Tufts offense as she did earlier this season.
    Ross opened the second-half scoring for Tufts just under the 20-minute mark. The goal cut Williams' lead to two, but Williams scored four consecutive goals in the next eight minutes to seal the game. Walker added one final goal, and the Jumbos lost by five.
    "We made too many mistakes, and we need to focus on scoring more goals early-on," sophomore defender Jaymi Cohen said. "Williams' grass field also played a factor in the loss, as we were not quick enough to adjust after playing every home game on turf. We definitely need to find ways to capitalize more often, and we will spend time working on drives,"
    While the season did not end the way Tufts hoped it would, the team showed a vast improvement over last season's 7-8 squad. New head coach Courtney Farrell led the Jumbos to a 10-5 regular season record, which included major conference victories over Colby, Conn. College and Bates, and the team hit its stride in the second half of the season, which bodes well for next year.
    "This is only the start for this program," Cohen said. "I really appreciate the entire coaching staff, and we are just getting started. The team is definitely moving in the right direction, and we can win championships in the future."
    With seniors Gabby Horner, Eliza Halmo, Kate Applegate and Kelley Cohen graduating, the team will look for new leaders next season.
    "I'm prepared to take on a leadership role next season if the team needs that," Bowser said. "I have amazing teammates, and I know everyone always has each other's backs. It will never be a one-person show, and everyone's role on this team is important. This was a great start for the new coaching staff. We have a really strong program and thanks to coach Farrell, this is just the beginning."
    Despite the quarterfinal loss, Tufts' season may not be over yet, as the team is still waiting to hear whether it will be selected to participate in the Div. III NCAA tournament.