Box Score

MEDFORD, Mass. -- Fifth-ranked Tufts University scored a pair of insurance goals in the final nine minutes on the way to defeating the University of New England, 3-0, in non-conference field hockey action Thursday evening (Oct. 2) at Bello Field.

The nationally-ranked Jumbos, who were coming off their first loss of the season on Saturday, improve to 7-1 with the decision. The Nor'easters settle back to 6-4 overall.

Scoreless for more than 30 minutes, the hosts got on the board at the 31:23 mark when Ashlyn Salvage put in a rebound from just off the right post.

The one-goal margin remained well into the 2nd period, with near misses both ways, until a Tufts penalty corner opportunity produced a second goal in the 62nd minute. Dakota Sikes-Keilp moved possession into the right side of the circle and sent a hard cross into the middle where it was redirected into the cage by Brittany Norfleet.

With a little more the four minutes remaining, Mary Travers completed the scoring with a drive from the right side.

Shots finished 25-9 in favor of the Jumbos, while corners were even at 8-8. Bri Keenan turned away each of the five UNE shots that came on target to record the shutout.

For Big Blue, which resumes Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play on Saturday at Western New England University (6 p.m.), sophomore Holly Smith posted nine saves.