MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – A late first half run saw a two-goal deficit turn into six which proved enough in the end as No. 11 nationally ranked Wesleyan women's lacrosse was defeated by No. 10 Tufts, 16-11, on Saturday afternoon at Smith Field. In a rematch of the 2021 NESCAC title game, Wesleyan (9-3, 4-3 NESCAC) falls for just the second time at home in 2022 while the Jumbos (9-3, 5-3 NESCAC) move into sole possession of third place in the league standings.
 
It was back-and-forth in the early going as the sides traded goals in a very evenly-played first quarter. Even though the shots, turnovers and ground balls totals were identical across the board between the two teams, Tufts led 4-2 with Anna Clarke scoring with just 29 seconds left in the frame to give the Jumbos a two-goal cushion.
 
The outcome was largely decided in the second quarter where Tufts outscored Wesleyan 6-2 to take a 10-4 lead into halftime. Clarke scored again just 48 seconds into the quarter while Margie Carden scored her second to make it 6-2. Wesleyan scored twice to cut the deficit to two as Abbey Logan '22 and Kate Balicki '23 netted goals. But for the final 10+ minutes of the quarter it was all Tufts as the Jumbos went on a 4-0 run with Ella Lesperance scoring twice just one minute apart while Caroline Walter scored her second with just 14 seconds left to make it 10-4 at the break.
 
Wesleyan managed an early second half goal from Laura Baine '24 and later scored twice in a span of just 13 seconds with Balicki completing her hat trick on an assist from Julia Noyes '24 which went down as the first career point for the sophomore midfielder.
 
However, another Tufts run put the game away for good as the Jumbos scored three unanswered midway through the third and suddenly held their biggest lead of the game at 15-8. The Cardinals cut the deficit to five heading into the fourth but couldn't score their first and only goal of the fourth quarter until there was 5:20 remaining as not enough time remained to lower what was a four-goal deficit.
 
Balicki registered a career-high as the junior finished with six points on four goals and two assists. Logan also managed a career-high as she tallied four points including her first career hat trick. Tufts used a face guarding defender on Olivia Lai '23 for the entire game as the junior attack, who came in with a NESCAC-leading 40 goals, was held to just one shot and no points for the first time this season.
 
Kiara Tangney '25 played well in an extended run as she finished with three caused turnovers, two draw controls and two ground balls. Indigo Pellegrini de Paur '21, G'22 came up with a season and career-high eight draw controls.
 
Tufts was led by Lesperance and Carden who each finished with five points on four goals and one assist. Clarke and Walter also recorded the same stat line with four points on three goals and one assist. Madison Lehan led the defensive effort with five ground balls and four caused turnovers.
 
Wesleyan will attempt to bounce back with two home games next week, starting on Wednesday against Hamilton before Senior Day Saturday against Williams at Noon.