D-III Tufts Women’s Soccer’s Winning Weekend has it Feeling Sweet 16

By Jerry Del Priore 

Behind solid goalkeeping by Hayley Bernstein and clutch scoring, the Tufts Women’s Soccer team has advanced to the NCAA Division III “Sweet 16” for the first time since 2005 after defeating The College of New Jersey, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at Lions Stadium.

The Jumbos used two second-half goals in the final 20 minutes of the game to upend the Lions.

Freshman Claire Wilkinson booted one in from 10 yards out, scoring her first collegiate marker in the 73rd minute for a 1-0 Tufts’ advantage.

Sophomore midfielder Lily Sykes intercepted an attempted clear by TCNJ, and give-and-go passing from junior Hannah Isenhart to junior Sophie Lloyd resulted in Lloyd’s ninth goal of the year in the 84th minute.

Bernstein made three saves on the triumph day.

The Jumbos started out the weekend with a 3-1 victory over SUNY Cortland on Saturday at The College of New Jersey’s Lions Stadium.

Lloyd, freshman Madeleine Pero, and senior Sarah Maloney all tailed a goal apiece in Tufts’ first-round victory. Lloyd posted her tenth goal of the season, and junior forward Liz Reed had two assists. Bernstein, a former goalkeeper at Beacon High School in New York City, stopped three shots in net. 

The Jumbos face New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) rival Williams College in the “Sweet 16” on Saturday. The site for the sectional round has not yet been determined. The Ephs advanced past MIT on penalty kicks on Sunday.