For the past two seasons, the women's soccer team has been on the brink of the NESCAC's top tier. In 2008, a heartbreaking shootout in the conference quarterfinals ended its run, while in 2009, overtime struggles during the regular season led to a fourth seed in the NESCAC tournament and an eventual semifinal exit against top−seeded Williams.
Now, with some veteran leadership and an influx of young talent, Tufts seems primed to finally reach the top of the conference, a place the Jumbos have not been since 2005. That year, the team reached the conference finals and was a hair's breadth away from a championship.
The Jumbos graduated five starters in the spring, including three−year goalkeeper Kate Minnehan (A '10) and first−team All−New England midfielder Fanna Gamal (A '10). Coach Martha Whiting, however, has brought 10 freshmen onto the team in an effort to replace the strong outgoing class.
"I think they are definitely going to have a large impact," senior co−captain Sarah Nolet said. "They have every opportunity to walk in and take those spots and really perform well."
One of those spots may be between the posts. The loss of Minnehan will be a tough one for the Jumbos, who will now need to work on communication with a new goalie for the first time since 2007.
The position remains up for grabs, and with two days before the season opener, sophomore Phoebe Hanley and freshmen Kristin Wright and Rachel Chazin−Gray all have a shot at starting the season in goal.
"I'm very confident in the three goalies we have right now on our team," senior co−captain Carrie Wilson said. "Obviously, communication issues are going to come up in the first few games, but I am really excited that we have three goalies that are very qualified and talented."
No matter who wins out, she will be lucky to be playing behind an extremely experienced backline. Nolet — a first−team All−New England defender — and Wilson combine with fellow senior Audrey Almy to create a defensive unit going on its third year of playing together. Junior Laney Siegner will fill in for fellow junior Cleo Hirsh, who has played with them for the past two years but is currently sidelined with an injury.
While Tufts has ample veteran leadership in the back, freshmen figure to be used prominently up top for the Jumbos, who generally start three forwards in their 4−3−3 formation. The team lost all three starting strikers from last season, and no forward on the squad has more than eight career starts or four career goals. While senior Bailey Morgan and junior Jamie Love−Nichols will likely be given an early shot due to their experience, the third starting forward spot will immediately go to a freshman, and others may get the opportunity to contribute as the season continues.
"We got some very good freshmen forwards and some upperclassmen that are going to step in and fill those big shoes," Nolet said. "I am definitely excited to hopefully score some more goals this year, but I am confident with the offense that we have."
With such large changes up front, the midfield, led by junior Alix Michael, looks to figure into the attack as well — Michael was second on the team with four goals in 2009.
Despite all of the changes, the team seems very confident in its ability. The Jumbos have not ranked in the top two in the conference since 2007 but feel they definitely have the tools to do so this year.
"I think we are a more talented team than [the 2007 team] was, player for player," Nolet said. "It is a completely different team attitude, too. Our team as a whole is a lot closer both on and off the field, which I think really shows when we play together."
Saturday, the Jumbos will host Middlebury in the season opener. The Panthers have finished one spot above Tufts each of the past two seasons. Moreover, the past two matches between the squads have been decided in extra time, with the home team winning each.
While Middlebury graduated star forward Annie Rowell last spring, they still have sophomore forward Amy Schlueter, who netted seven goals in her first season despite only starting six games.
It may be early in the year, but the result of this match could have far−reaching effects on the success of both the Jumbos and the Panthers.
"It is a huge game, but I don't think we prepare for any game differently than any other game," Nolet said. "We bring the same intensity and the same desire to win to every game, but there is a lot on the table for this one, and I definitely think we are going to win."
