Men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s cross country, and women’s volleyball won NESCAC championships, and join field hockey and women’s cross country in NCAA action
The Jumbo field hockey team punched their ticket to the to NCAA Final Four with a 3-1 victory at Bates. Photo: Courtesy of Bates College
After a record four New England Small College Athletic Conference championships this fall, six Tufts sports teams will continue to compete in NCAA national competitions this week.
Men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s cross country, and women’s volleyball won NESCAC championships, joining field hockey and women’s cross country to participate in NCAA national competitions this week. The men’s soccer and women’s volleyball teams are hosting NCAA events on campus.
“The fall season has been incredible for the Tufts Athletics Department,” Director of Athletics Ryan Pissari said. “With four teams winning NESCAC championships, and all six of our teams who are eligible for NCAA tournament play earning berths, the success has been unprecedented. This is a testament to the relentless effort by our coaches, athletics staff, and of course student-athletes. The Jumbo community has been very supportive of our athletics program, and we hope that continues this week.”
Women’s volleyball, which won the NESCAC title with a 3-1 victory against Colby College on Nov. 15, was selected to host an NCAA Regional at Cousens Gymnasium. Head coach Cora Thompson’s Jumbos will play Bridgewater State University in the opening round of NCAA action on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
By advancing through the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, including a 1-0 overtime win at Brandeis on Nov. 16, the No. 1 ranked men’s soccer team will now host Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games at Bello Field. The Jumbos, coached by Kyle Dezotell, will play Messiah University on Saturday, Nov. 22, starting at 11 a.m. at home on Bello Field.
Women’s soccer is also on to the Sweet 16 after winning a pair of games at home in the opening rounds this past weekend, including 2-0 over Wesleyan University on Nov. 16. Head coach Martha Whiting’s team will travel to Middlebury College in Vermont and play the Panthers on Saturday. Nov. 22 at 11 a.m.
Men’s and women’s cross country, directed by Jamie Norton, highlight this week’s action as they travel to South Carolina to run at the NCAA national championship meet. The women’s team earned an automatic berth into nationals by winning the NCAA East Region championship race in an upset over MIT on Nov. 15. The men received an at-large NCAA berth after placing second at the regional.
A 3-1 win at Bates College in the Elite 8 on Nov. 16 sends the field hockey team to the NCAA Final Four for the second straight year and seventh time overall. Head coach Tina Mattera’s squad will play its national semifinal versus Christopher Newport University on Friday, Nov. 21, at Trinity College in Hartford. Game time is noon.
Visit the Tufts Athletics website for daily updates, and TuftsJumbos on Instagram for feature content on the Jumbos.
