MIDDLETOWN, CT. – As the Wesleyan women's soccer team welcomed No. 22 ranked Tufts University to campus, Katie O'Connell '25 and Maria Utz '27 were the stronghold of the Wesleyan offense that came away with a 2-1 NESCAC victory on Saturday afternoon from Jackson Field.

The Jumbos (4-2-1 overall, 2-2-1 NESCAC) got the better of the Cardinals (6-0-1 overall, 3-0-1 NESCAC) early in the first half, opening the scoring less than a minute into action. Driven in by Waverly Sumner from the midfield, Nicola Sommers settles down the pass at the top of the goal box before a left foot shot hit the back of the net.

Utz struck with the game tying goal in the 12^th minute, knocking in her third of the season. Gaining possession at the far line, Maddy Reynolds '25 found Utz out center of the box for Utz's shot down the middle and behind Jumbos goalkeeper Gigi Edwards.

O'Connell's goal at minute 25 was not her first attempt on goal. A previous scoring opportunity in the first half was called off. However, O'Connell's redemption goal came off the efforts of Utz's drive to the left of the box before making the cross pass to O'Connell in the right corner. O'Connell's snipe fell into the left ninety to take a 2-1 lead into the half.

Opening the second half, the Jumbos created several scoring opportunities but were thwarted twice. Brianna Garcia '28 came up with a massive block for the Cardinals on Elsie Aires in the 55^th minute before the Jumbos also had a goal called back due to goalkeeper interference.

Caty Clements '25 and the defense came up strong as they held the Jumbos to only one goal despite the Jumbos outshooting the Cardinals 12-9.

Molly Brumbach '26 made eight saves in net for the Cardinals. Edwards finished the afternoon with three saves for the Jumbos.

The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 1, when they host the University of Hartford at Jackson Field beginning at 4:30 p.m.