Tufts 12, Endicott 11: Gulls Nearly Upset #15 Jumbos

MEDFORD – Endicott kept pace with #15 Tufts University and ended the game on a 3-0 run but came up just short, falling 12-11 in a non-conference women's lacrosse game on Thursday afternoon at Bello Field.

Endicott (4-4), who was looking for their first ever victory in seven all-time meetings with the Jumbos, was led by three goals each from Holly Davis (Guilford, Conn.) and Caitlin Pratt (Bow, N.H.).  Tufts senior co-captain Kerry Eaton (Norfolk, MA) scored four goals and assisted on two others to ensure that the Jumbos improved to 4-2 on the season.

Davis, Pratt, and Callie Murphy (Woburn, Mass.) scored the final three goals, with a man-up, free-position effort by Davis pulling the Gulls to within a goal with 2:20 minutes left on the clock after Eaton had capped her scoring binge at 5:53 to give Tufts a 12-8 cushion.

Unfortunately for the Gulls, Tufts first-year Brigid Bowder (Westborough, Mass.) controlled the ensuing draw and the hosts were able to run out the clock.

Davis had won five draw controls on the day, while Endicott junior Rachel Campos (Shrewsbury, Mass.) recorded three draw controls and pick up two ground balls.

Gulls junior goalie Rachel Socolow (Westford, Mass.) had eight of her 11 saves in the first half as the Jumbos enjoyed a 19-11 advantage in shots. The teams went back-and-forth early until a five-goal Jumbo run put Tufts up 6-2 on a free-position shot by junior Kelley Cohen (Richmond, Va.), who scored twice during the stretch. However, two goals by Pratt helped the Gulls outscore Tufts 4-2 in the final 14 minutes and get within 8-6 by halftime. 

Tufts first year Caroline Ross (Sewickley, Pa.) opened the scoring in the second half for Tufts, but Murphy scored her first of two goals, to go with one assist, to return the margin to two goals at 9-7.

Eaton and Ross expanded the Jumbo margin to four (11-7) before a Davis tally cut the lead to 11-8 with 9:43 remaining in regulation. The Gulls would own the closing minutes, but Tufts was able to hang on. 

Endicott senior Lauren Todd (Newfield, N.H.) had a goal and two assists, while Kelly Tierney (S. Hadley, Mass.) and Siri Mason (Williamstown, Mass.) each tallied once.

Sophomore Emily Wright (Richmond, VA) controlled four draws for the winners, while senior co-captain Meg Boland (New Canaan, CT) finished with three caused turnovers and six groundballs. 

Stats were even outside of a 31-22 shots advantage for Tufts. Both teams were effective on free-position shots, as Endicott hit on 5 of 9 and Tufts was 4 for 7.

Tufts senior Tess Shapanka (Sudbury, Mass.) got the win in goal with five saves. 

Endicott is at Wentworth on Tuesday at 4 pm to continue their Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) schedule, where they have a 1-0 record. 

The Jumbos travel to play at top-ranked Trinity on Saturday at noon in a NESCAC contest.