MEDFORD, MA. – Conference play came to an end for the Wesleyan women's soccer team on Saturday afternoon as #1 Tufts University defeated the Cardinals in the NESCAC Championship quarterfinal, 2-1, to open post-season action at Bello Field.

Following a 9-3-3 regular season finish as the #8 seed heading into the NESCAC Championship, the Cardinals were handed another road loss. The Jumbos (13-1-2 overall, 7-1-2 NESCAC) scored just past the 10-minute marker of the first half as Aoife O'Reilly turned the tides. Awarded a free kick from above the box, O'Reilly 's heavy and high shot slipped between the crossbar and the tips of Molly Brumbach's '26 gloves and into the top corner.

By the end of the first half, the Cardinals tied the match up at one after fighting against a tough Jumbos defense for over 20 minutes. Riley Buehler '26 , from out right of the box, crossed the ball inside for Maria Utz '27 racing down the middle as she scored on a high kick off her left foot at the goal line. Utz is the first Cardinal to score 10 or more goals since Grace Devanny '23 (12) in 2021. The Jumbos held a 10-5 shot advantage over the Cardinals at halftime.

The Jumbos were unrelenting in the second half, posting 16 shots on the Cardinals defense, and it would pay off for them. In the 62^nd minute, the Jumbos broke the draw and gained a one-goal lead thanks to their leading scorer Elsie Aires. After a scuffle at the left post left the ball unattended, Aires knocked the ball in from inside the arc as Brumbach was trying to get up from the previous save. The Jumbos nearly had a third goal late in regulation, but the shot was wide of the goal.

Aires and Reese Birch led the Jumbos with two shots apiece.

In goal, Brumbach finished the match with nine saves as Gigi Edwards earned the win with four saves.

The Cardinals await the NCAA Tournament selection show for a chance at an at-large bid. Date to be announced.