Teams: Field Hockey: Schedule & Results

COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY FINAL SCORE
Tufts 2, Babson 1

At Medford, MA
Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Game Box Score

Tamara Brown netted her second goal in as many games

MEDFORD -- Host Tufts University, ranked third in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll this week, got first-half goals from junior Tamara Brown (Annandale, VA) and senior co-captain Amanda Russo (Garden City, NY) to edge Babson College, 2-1, on Tuesday afternoon at Bello Field.

The Jumbos (2-0) won their 22nd straight regular-season game. They have not lost during the regular season since October 6, 2007 at Bowdoin. Babson dropped to 3-2 overall with their first loss in three games. This was the second straight year that Tufts took a close 2-1 victory over the Beavers.

Tufts dominated possession and finished with a 30-4 advantage in shots and 13-4 in penalty corners. However, the Jumbos couldn't capitalize on most of their opportunities against a hard-playing Babson squad. With Tufts leading 2-0 at the half, Babson's Kelly Walsh (Gardner, MA) scored her third goal of the season just five minutes into the second half to make it a one-goal game. That's where it stayed for the remainder of the contest.

Brown, who set a Tufts record with 28 goals last year, put the hosts on the scoreboard by deftly deflecting a shot by senior co-captain Margi Scholtes (Grosse Pointe, MI) past Babson keeper Jessica Pashos (Winchester, MA) in the 27th minute of play. Five minutes later, Tufts looked to be establishing some rhythm as Russo finished a nice cross from first-year Lia Sagerman (LaJolla, CA) for a 2-0 lead with 2:28 remaining in the first half.

After attempting just one shot in the first half, Babson scored on their first shot on goal of the game to make things interesting in the second half. Walsh converted with an assist to junior Sarah Fredlund (New Preston, CT) at the 40:19 mark. Pashos and the Babson defense continued to deny Tufts chances, including a defensive save by sophomore Erika Hansen (Marson Mills, MA). Pashos would finish with 12 saves, including seven in the second half.

Babson never really threatened to tie the game. Late in the second half, Beaver sophomore Courtney Weaving (New Preston, CT) put a long shot on net from the left side that Tufts sophomore Marianna Zak (Concord, MA) kicked away for her lone save of the game.

Tufts remains at home to host NESCAC foe Amherst College on Saturday at noon. Babson is idle for a week prior to opening its home season next Tuesday against Bridgewater State.

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