Tufts Edges Wesleyan in Double-Overtime, 2-1

Courtesy Tufts Sports Information

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Freshman Brooke Christian (Acton, MA) scored with 41 seconds left in the second overtime as the fifth-seeded Tufts University Jumbos upset fourth-seeded Wesleyan University in the first round of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament on Tuesday afternoon.

Christian's goal capped a comeback win for the Jumbos, who fell behind 1-0 on Jenna Flateman's goal for Wesleyan with 13:05 left in regulation. Junior Christina Orf (Lexington, MA) tied the game at 1-1 for Tufts with just 5:12 left in the second half, assisted by classmate Barbara Szajda (Farmington, CT). After a scoreless first 15 minutes of OT, the teams nearly went to penalty strokes before junior Lindsay Lionetti (Stamford, CT) set up Christian for the winner.

With the win, Tufts advances to the NESCAC Tournament semi-finals to be held at Bowdoin College on Saturday (Oct. 28). Their opponent and the time of the game was still to be determined at press time. The winner of the tournament earns an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

This was the third straight and double overtime game Tufts has played in, and the fourth overall this season. They are 3-1 in those games. The victory over Wesleyan avenges a 2-1 loss to the Cardinals on October 10 during the regular season.