It took a while for the women's soccer team, which has 10 first-years on its roster, to work the kinks out. The team went 1-2-2 in its first five matches, including a frustrating tie against NESCAC bottom-dweller Wesleyan.
But after a dominant 2-0 decision over Colby this Saturday — and a 1-0 win over Endicott yesterday afternoon — Tufts' winning streak is now at four games. The young team has finally started to find a formula for success.
"We are starting to learn how our teammates play," junior midfielder Alix Michael said. "We, as a whole, are beginning to understand the importance of working on the field. This work ethic on the field wasn't there at the beginning of the season."
On Saturday, in a fitting combination of youth and experience, senior co-captain and defender Sarah Nolet blasted home an early penalty-shot goal, and freshman forward Maeve Stewart put Colby away with a score of her own in the second half.
From the opening whistle, Tufts came out as the aggressor. The Jumbos dominated possession and kept the pressure on, outshooting the Mules 10-2 in the first half. Mules sophomore goalkeeper Jayde Bennett was continuously tested but held strong for the first 23 minutes of the match.
The Jumbos were finally rewarded for their efforts when junior forward Jamie Love-Nichols drew a penalty in the box. After discussion, Nolet stepped up and buried the shot in the right corner.
"I've been practicing [penalties], and we've talked about it before," Nolet said. "[Head coach Martha Whiting] asked if I felt comfortable after the one in the Middlebury game, and I felt good taking it."
Colby began to threaten as the half continued, accumulating five corner kicks. Yet the Jumbos' defense stood strong, with sophomore keeper Phoebe Hanley needing to make only a single save.
"They had a lot of corners, and we need to be better about not giving them up," Nolet said. "Other teams will punish us for that as the season goes on."
Coming out of the break, the Jumbos revitalized their attack.
Their efforts paid off after less than 15 minutes, when Michael found some space on the outside and sent a cross into the box that was finished masterfully by Stewart. It was Stewart's first goal since her hat trick in the team's opener against Middlebury and increased her team-leading tally to four.
"Before the season we had no idea who was going to be coming in, so it's nice to see that we've picked up players that can clearly put the ball in the back of the net up front," Michael said. "It's good to see that they've stepped into those shoes so well."
Even with a 2-0 lead, the Jumbos continued to pound away at the Mules' goal, looking to extend the lead. Colby also found some opportunities, but Tufts' freshman goalkeeper Kristin Wright, who had taken over for Hanley at halftime, made a pair of saves to preserve the shutout.
"A 2-0 lead is the most dangerous lead because you get complacent," Michael said. "We didn't really sit back and feel comfortable. Yes, it was nice to have a little bit more of a comfort zone, but we didn't sit back and relax."
The two wins over the past three days highlighted an experienced backline that is really coming into its own in the heart of the season. The group recorded its third and fourth straight shutouts on Saturday and Monday, respectively.
With the victory, Tufts moved up to third in the NESCAC standings — one point behind Amherst and Trinity. But with one match more than the Lord Jeffs remaining and a road match against the undefeated Bantams — who have won their last two home games by a combined five goals — looming this Saturday, the Jumbos control their own destiny. The scenario is simple, although the task is not. If they can win the four remaining conference games, the Jumbos will win the NESCAC.
"It is really nice to be in control," Nolet said. "I think we have, gotten lucky in that respect, but were not going to take it for granted. We have a lot of work to do, and we haven't proven anything yet."
