Wesleyan University

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Fans were gifted a tremendous back-and-forth battle between two of the nation's elite programs on Wednesday night in a contest that featured an early marker, late equalizer, an overturned goal in regulation, and several tremendous scoring chances in the overtime frames. Ultimately, it was No. 3 Tufts who scored the game-winner with 1:11 remaining in the second overtime period to land a 2-1 win over No. 12 Wesleyan on Hicks Field. The Jumbos improve to 6-0 (4-0 NESCAC) for the first time since 2023 while the Cardinals (3-2, 0-2 NESCAC) suffer a second straight one-goal conference loss.
 
Tufts got out on the front foot thanks to a tremendous build-up play that started in their defensive end as Ruby Pearson broke up a Wesleyan rush along the left sideline in the Jumbos' side of midfield. She moved the ball up to Reagan Malo who got it past midfield before sending a pass to Hannah Murray. The ball then came to Eleanor Helm who chopped a shot over Keira O'Flynn '29 in goal for the opener.
 
Unfazed by the Tufts goal, Wesleyan had the majority of possession throughout the remainder of the first half and held a 5-3 lead in shots attempted in the first half.
 
After playing an entire half without a penalty corner for either side, the Cardinals earned the first corner with 4:28 left in the third quarter and looked to have scored. However, the Jumbos challenged and the video review showed the ball hit the back of Teddy Tolbert's stick and the goal, which was swept in by Natalie Shaw '28 at the near post, was disallowed.
 
With time winding down in the fourth quarter, Wesleyan got a deserved equalizer with 4:42 remaining in regulation. Brooke Miner '28 sent a pass to Tolbert just outside the circle on the near side of the field. Tolbert carried towards the end line before passing to Emily Smith '28 who carried to the left wing before centering towards Meera Patel '29 right in front of goal. The sophomore forward received the pass, quickly turned with the ball on her stick, and fired in the equalizer.
 
Wesleyan pushed for a game-winner in regulation, with two penalty corners coming in the final minute of play, but the Cardinals couldn't generate a shot attempt in those two chances and the game went into overtime.
 
The first 7-on-7 extra session saw Tufts goalie Isabel Ginns rush out to smother an attempt by Bridget FitzGerald '30 after Smith created the chance with a lengthy rush up field in possession. Tufts earned what was their first penalty corner of the game with 1:30 left but Ellie Wilkins saw her shot saved by O'Flynn.
 
The second overtime featured a pair of great chances just 30 seconds apart as Tolbert lifted a shot that whizzed just inches wide of the top right corner and then a blast from Murray on the opposite end was batted away by O'Flynn.
 
With a penalty shootout looming, Tufts was fouled just outside the Wesleyan circle during a run up field. Eleanor Luft tapped the ball to Helm on the restart who carried towards the left wing, opening up space for a shot from deep just inside the circle. With plenty of power on the shot, Helm's game-winner snuck inside the post and the Jumbos prevailed.
 
Shots finished deadlocked at 11 aside with six on goal for Tufts while four on frame for Wesleyan. Tufts, who came in with 56 penalty corners through their first five games, were held without a penalty corner in regulation and had just two in the entire double overtime contest.
 
Wesleyan looks to rebound on Saturday morning with an 11 AM start against No. 21 Bates.