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Date: November 5, 2005
Contact: Bill Sodoma

 

Tufts women's soccer holds off Colby in semifinal

(courtesy of Tufts sports information)

SOMERVILLE, Mass. Ð Host Tufts University earned a spot in the NESCAC womenÕs soccer championship match with a 2-1 semifinal victory over Colby College on Saturday at Kraft Field.

The Jumbos (12-2-1) will host Bates College, a 1-0 semifinal winner in overtime against Bowdoin, for the conference championship on Sunday at noon.

Tufts, the top seed in NESCAC, had some early scoring chances on the No. 7 Mules. Senior Lydia Claudio (Woburn, Mass.) hit the post on a free kick in the opening five minutes, with a shot off the rebound narrowly missed by sophomore Martha Furtek (East Falmouth, Mass.). Tufts struck first when off a give-and-go with sophomore Lauren Fedore (East Lansing, Mich.), junior Kim Harrington (Helena, Mont.) blasted a shot into the upper left corner of the far post from the top of the 18 in the 19th minute. Colby would end up earning an edge in possession for the remainder of the half, but without producing a quality chance.

The Jumbos added a huge second goal less than two minutes into the second half. During a scramble in the box after a corner kick, the ball was played out by senior tri-captain Sarah Callaghan (Northborough, Mass.) to junior Jen Fratto (Waltham, Mass.). She chipped it over Colby keeper Liza BensonÕs (Orchid, Fla.) head for a 2-0 Tufts lead.

With time winding into the final five minutes of regulation and defensive play becoming more frantic, Colby junior Laura Williamson (Manchester, Conn.) intercepted a clearing attempt by the Jumbos and ripped in a goal from the top of the box to suddenly give Colby life in the 86th minute. The strike was her 10th of the season. However, the Mules didnÕt get a good shot at tying it and the Jumbos moved on.

Both keepers finished with five saves, junior Annie Ross (Newton, Mass.) on the Tufts side and Benson for Colby. Tufts had an edge in shots (11-8), corners (5-3) and overall scoring opportunities.

ColbyÕs season ended with a 7-3-5 record. The Tufts victory was a measure of revenge for a 2-0 loss to the Mules in the season-opener back on September 10.

Colby (7-3-5) 0 1 = 1

Tufts (12-2-1) 1 1 = 2

Scoring: T, Kim Harrington (Lauren Fedore) 19:00; T, Jen Fratto (Sarah Callaghan) 46:00; C, Laura Williamson (unassisted) 86:00.

Goalkeeping: T, Annie Ross (90:00 Ð 1 GA) 5 saves; C, Liza Benson (90:00 Ð 2 GA) 5 saves. Shots: T, 11; C, 8. Corner Kicks: T, 5; C, 3.