MEDFORD, Mass. – The No. 12 ranked Wesleyan field hockey team was defeated by No. 6 Tufts by a 4-1 score on Saturday afternoon at Ounjian Field. The loss drops the Cardinals to 4-3 (0-3 NESCAC) while the Jumbos improve to 6-2 (4-1 NESCAC).
 
The Jumbos' three-goal win was not indicative of the game, which featured back-and-forth action throughout with Wesleyan outshooting Tufts 20-13 while holding a massive 15-2 edge in penalty corners. However, the Jumbos proved advantageous on offense and the goalkeeping play of Lydia Eastburn (10 saves) was enough in the end.
 
Tufts took a 1-0 lead four minutes into the game on a highlight reel goal from Eleanor Helm. Camille Clarke sent the ball across the field to Helm just inside the left curve of the circle. With the Cardinals' defenders in good position, Helm reverse swept a shot that lifted off the turn and into the far right corner of the cage.
 
Wesleyan evened the score just four minutes later on a penalty corner. After inserting the ball, Leila Feldman '28 received a pass from Georgia Adams '26 at the left post and landed her stick with the ball in mid-air to bring the game level at 1-1.
 
A three-goal first quarter saw Tufts take a 2-1 advantage on a Hannah Murray goal with three minutes to play in the frame. Eleanor Luft sent the ball in from the left side and it deflected to Murray who scored on a blast from the middle of the circle.
 
The Jumbos added another first half goal to make it 3-1 at the half. After the Cardinals turned the ball over in their own end, Helm claimed possession and worked her way towards goal on the left. She tapped a pass over to Hannah Biccard who created some space and drilled home another goal.
 
Wesleyan had most of the ball in the second half, totaling 10 corners and 12 shots in the final 30 minutes of play, but Eastburn and the Jumbo defense proved up to the task.
 
Tufts wound up adding to the margin with a great set-up from Helm late in the game. From the right side of the circle, she found Sophie Brants in front for the fourth Tufts goal with 24 seconds left in regulation.
 
The Cardinals have a week to prepare for Amherst in a crucial NESCAC contest next Saturday at Noon from Hicks Field.