For a rainy Homecoming 2023 celebration, the Jumbos took to Bello Field to battle it out against the Hamilton Continentals. Much like the storm clouds creeping in, the game had a slow start with the scoreboard remaining blank over 30 minutes into the game.
Tufts was the first to break the scoreless tie with a goal from senior center midfielder Thalia Greenberg, assisted by freshman midfielder Emily Nichols, coming in the 32nd minute. Greenberg’s goal came after an early rush for the goal filled with shots from senior forward Erin Duncan and sophomore midfielder Caroline Kelly. However, all breakaways were saved for the Continentals’ sophomore goalkeeper Nieve Tonna.
Despite only putting one in the back of the cage, the Jumbos managed to get off 13 shots and four corner kicks throughout the game. While both teams managed to boast those statistics, the Jumbos reigned supreme with nine shots on goal compared Hamlton’s six. Additionally, Tufts held their lead strong up until the 81st moment when Hamilton equalized with a header to the right side of the net. First-year keeper Gigi Edwards continuously fought hard in the net, making five saves on behalf of the Jumbos.
Greenberg explained that although they did not post many points, the first half was the highlight of the game for the Jumbos.
“I think we came out really strong, which is definitely a strength of ours,” Greenberg said.
“And it's really exciting to see everything that we've been working on in terms of connecting the ball connecting all the lines, whether that's the defense, midfield or forward.”
“I really liked how we passed the ball around and kept position [...] in the first half,” Greenberg said.
She continued highlighting the team’s tight connection on and off the field.
“I think definitely our team chemistry is really, really strong. And I think one of our biggest strengths is, you know, the freshmen and how they've stepped up so much this season,” Greenberg said.
“I'm just so happy with the way the team has been recently. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to just go out there and play with my closest friends, [they're] my family.”
She later added how a lot of the progress she and the team were hoping for had to come with the application of notes and continued coaching.
“I’m really looking forward to going out there and implementing everything we've been working towards, especially with all the feedback from the coach and watching film,” Greenberg said.
“I think the biggest takeaway is we got to keep scoring. We got to keep shooting. And then also just defending in the box has to be tightened up.”
Greenberg noted how some of these changes along with strong team chemistry had already been proven useful in the team’s most recent road win against Trinity. Just a day after their draw with the Continentals, the Jumbos emerged victorious in their away match with the Bantams 2-1.
Greenberg shared a specific moment from that match demonstrating the team’s bond.
“In our last game against Trinity, we had a goal where three freshmen were just involved in the whole play. And they've been really, really good strengths for the team and just in team chemistry overall,” Greenberg said.
She continued: “I think that we're in a really good position to keep improving and [for our] trajectory [to] keep going up.”
Fresh off their road win, Tufts looks to take down Colby College on Sept. 30 in their next NESCAC matchup.
