The Jumbos are back to a winning conference record after a 1-0 victory on the road against the Continentals on Saturday. Freshman Brooke Fortin netted the goal for the Jumbos in the second half to give the team their fifth NESCAC win of the season.
According to senior tri-captain Blair Brady, Hamilton came out with great intensity to start their senior day game in Clinton, but Tufts matched their fire from the beginning. The first half was back and forth, and neither team took a distinctive advantage.
"It was their senior game, they were at home and they definitely brought a lot of energy that I think we matched really well," Brady said. "There were definitely counter attacks from both teams that I think resulted in the even shots on goal."
Hamilton slightly bested Tufts in total shots in the first half, with four to Tufts' three, gaining these opportunities from counters and breakaway chances. On defense, Brady had to work hard with the other backs to keep Hamilton from crossing any shots into the box.
The Jumbos were dominant in the second half, but the game remained scoreless until the last 15 minutes when Fortin took a step on a through ball sent in by classmate Jess Capone and netted one on the run.
"Brooke's goal was really awesome; nice combo coming through our central mids, we found her making a diagonal run through," Brady said.
With the 1-0 advantage, the Jumbos continued to press, but also locked down on defense to make sure the Continentals couldn't equalize, enabling them to secure the win.
"Hamilton is a strong team and so are we," Fortin told the Daily in an email. "Like all games in the NESCAC the outcome was dependent on who was willing to put in the effort necessary to win. In the end, we were able to net a goal and maintain our lead to clinch a victory on the road."
It was the first time this year that the weather was a significant factor in the contest. It was cold in Clinton, and the wind was gusty and unpredictable. The Jumbos had to change up their game a bit to deal with the wind, especially on the defensive end. In the first half, the team played against the wind and had to change from playing high balls to keeping the ball on the ground, according to senior goalkeeper Kristin Wright.
"We were trying to make sure we were playing smart, and we really didn't want to go down early," Wright said. "We played a lot of balls that were meant to be over the top to the forwards but the wind would carry them all the way to their keeper."
With just one game left before the NESCAC playoffs begin, the Jumbos were anxious for a win against the team that was just one spot beneath them in the conference standings at the time of the game. The Jumbos now sit comfortably in sixth place with 15 points, as the closest opponent, the seventh-place Wesleyan Cardinals, are eight points back in the standings.
In front of the Tufts are Amherst and Trinity, who are tied for fourth with 18 points, and Bowdoin and Williams, who are tied for second with 19 points, which means the Jumbos are still able to move up before the end of the regular season. The Jumbos will take on the Polar Bears in their final home game of the regular season this Wednesday, a match that will have major seeding implications. Coming off a conference win will be a confidence boost for Tufts, and Wednesday's match will be important in shaping the playoffs that start on Saturday.
"It's our last regular season game at home, it's one we want," Brady said. "We should have a lot of pride on Wednesday. Bowdoin is a really good team but we're [also] a really good team and it will be a good battle. Across the board, everyone is excited."
