#13 Field Hockey Edged by #3 Tufts, 1-0

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Chelsea Yogerst's fifth-minute goal proved to be the game-winner, as the #3 Tufts University field hockey team topped #13 Wellesley College, 1-0, in non-conference action on Wednesday evening. The win improves the Jumbos to 10-1 overall, while the Blue's season mark moves to 12-2.

A fast start gave Tufts the early advantage, as the Jumbos recorded the first four shots and first two penalty corners, all coming in the first four and a half minutes of play. With just 4:25 elapsed, Yogerst redirected a feed from Allison Rolfe on the right side for the score, putting the Jumbos up 1-0, which proved to be all Tufts needed for the win.

After the Yogerst score, Wellesley settled play, holding the Jumbos to just five more shots in the first half. The Blue, meanwhile, recorded four shots over the final 30 minutes of the half, picking up a pair of penalty corners. Wellesley's best chance to score came on a pair of breakaways from Nikki Sharkin, but the Tufts defense thwarted both attempts. 

The Jumbos also had a chance to push it to 2-0 late in the first half, with a 31st-minute penalty corner and a 34th-minute shot from Stephanie Wan. Wellesley kept the game 1-0, however, breaking up the corner, while Brit Mscisz stopped Wan's attempt.

At the half, Tufts held a 9-4 advantage in shots, while penalty corners were even at three apiece.

The second half featured a battle at midfield, with Wellesley holding an edge in possession. The drew a 52nd-minute corner with Nathalie Gruet getting a good shot off, but Tufts keeper Bri Keenan made the save, preserving her shut out. 

Tufts got both of their second-half shots in a 30-second stretch, as a flurry of activity in the 55th-minute saw Yogerst make two more attempts on the goal. The first went wide, while Wellesley's Mscisz saved the second, keeping it 1-0. 

The Blue had the ball in their offensive end for much of the final five minutes of play, but were unable to draw a corner, keeping the final at 1-0 Tufts. 

Tufts finished the game with an 11-5 edge in shots, while corner opportunities ended at 5-5. Mscisz ended the game with five total saves for Wellesley, while Keenan had a pair of saves in the shutout. 

Both teams return to conference play on Saturday at 1:00pm. Wellesley heads to Springfield for a NEWMAC match-up, while Tufts will play at Williams in a NESCAC clash.