Entering their game on Saturday, the Cardinal women’s soccer team hoped to eclipse the University record for consecutive scoreless opponent minutes by keeping Tufts off the scoreboard for at least 72:02. But the Jumbos immediately wrecked the Cardinals’ record-breaking plans by scoring in the opening minute of play. That would turn out to be all the offense Tufts needed, as the Jumbos held on for a 1-0 victory on Jackson Field.
The Jumbos secured their winning goal just 32 seconds into the contest. An attempt by Wesleyan to clear the ball out of the box ended with the ball going straight into the foot of a Tufts attacker, who sent the ball past Cardinal keeper Clare Colton ’12 and into the back of the net.
Tufts continued its offensive barrage throughout he first half, outshooting Wesleyan 8-3, but a pair of saves from Colton kept the margin to one goal. Wesleyan held a 9-3 advantage in shots in the second frame, and also took three corner kicks to the Jumbos’ none.
“Our game against the Jumbos was a mental fight,” said Anna Crystal ’11. “After they scored in the first forty-five seconds it was difficult to regain our typical confidence. It is a testament to our strength as a team that we rebounded so well in the second half.”
The Cardinals had several scoring opportunities in the second half but were unable to finish. Left-winger Kailtin Ashley ’11 was responsible for several opportunities. Ashley distributed several strong crosses from the left side in the half. At the end of the day, the Cardinals and Jumbos were evenly matched in shots on goal, the Cardinals finishing with 12, the Jumbos with 11. However, the Cardinals struggled to translate their strong play into numbers on the scoreboard, thanks in part to six saves from Tufts netminder Kate Minnehan.
“Hopefully we can capitalize on the corners in the future,” said Crystal.
In a statistical oddity, each of Wesleyan’s games this season has been a shutout. The Cardinals opened the season with a 5-0 loss at third-ranked Williams but recovered to shut out their next three opponents. Also, Wesleyan’s loss came during a NESCAC weekend in which every women’s soccer team suffered a home shutout.
The Cardinals have another non-conference game before their next NESCAC face-off. The women hit the road on Tuesday to play a night game at Western Connecticut State University. Last year, the Cardinals secured their first-ever win against the Colonials in the third battle between the Connecticut squads, 3-2.
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