Tufts University's Beth Krikorian scored an astonishing overtime goal and the Jumbos captured a 2-1 victory over the Hamilton College Continentals in the quarterfinals of the 2021 NESCAC Field Hockey Championship at Tufts' Ounjian Field on Saturday.

 

Having already suffered a 4-0 loss on the Jumbos' home field back on Oct. 3, a first round matchup against Tufts was certain to be a challenge for Hamilton. However, the championship's seventh seed and nationally ranked No. 15 Continentals rose to the occasion against the second-seeded Jumbos.

 

Hamilton (10-6 overall) opened the scoring with 8:43 left in the second quarter on an industrious team effort. After earning a free hit outside Tufts' circle, Maura Holden '23 drove by multiple defenders before moving it to Lexi Takashima '22 cutting in from the right wing. Takashima hit a one-time pass to Hannah Dillon '24 and Dillon took a shot that deflected off Tufts goaltender Andie Stallman (five saves) right to Alana King '24 on the back post. King calmly settled the ball and made no mistake in firing the ball into the open cage for her second goal this week and fourth this fall.

 

The Continentals still led 1-0 after three quarters, but the Jumbos sustained long stints of pressure after halftime as they took 15 shots and were awarded nine penalty corners in the second half and overtime. Tufts drew even with 5:54 remaining in the fourth quarter on a well-executed long corner goal scored by Rachel Scrivanich and assisted by Reegan McCluskey.

 

The nationally ranked No. 3 Jumbos (13-3) carried its strong play into overtime. Tufts won the game on a long-range backhand shot by Krikorian that just snuck under the crossbar three minutes into the sudden-victory period.

 

Despite the loss, Hamilton goalkeeper Maggie Reville '22 had a remarkable game for the Continentals. The senior boasted 14 saves in her final collegiate performance and finished with 228 stops at Hamilton. Maeve Eskandari '24 added her third defensive save for the Continentals.