By Claire Gulbin '22

NEW LONDON, Conn. - Junior Jackie Puda (Northbridge, Mass.) scored the lone goal for the Camels as the Connecticut College women's soccer team honored five seniors with a pregame ceremony before dropping a match to Tufts, 2-1, in a nail-biting double overtime battle on Sunday afternoon.
 
Both teams applied pressure to the defense throughout the first half but the Camels were able to outshoot the Jumbos 8-2. Tufts goalkeeper Kaelin Logue made two saves while her defensive line managed to keep the Camels off the scoreboard in the first period. 
 
The Jumbos' offense came out of the gate strong in the second half with multiple shots on goal early on, but Connecticut was able to take the lead after a Tufts defender tripped junior Mya Johnson (Old Lyme, Conn.) in the box. Puda then scored on the penalty shot to put the Camels up 1-0 in the 52nd minute.
 
After Puda's goal, both offenses were contained until the 89th minute when Nic Sommers scored off a cross from Callie Scala. Sommers' goal, which was headed in, tied the game at 1-1 with just over a minute left to play in regulation and sent the match into overtime. 
 
The first overtime period consisted of many high intensity scoring opportunities. Both defenses were able to stay solid though, and the game was pushed into a second overtime. The game was finally decided in the 103rd minute when Madeleine Pero sent a pass through multiple Camel defenders to find Liz Reed all alone in front of the goal. Reed then took a touch into space before striking the ball and scoring the game winner.
 
Connecticut College goalkeeper Sarah Hall (Tualatin, Ore.) stopped five shots in the loss for the Camels. Tufts goalkeeper Kaelin Logue made two saves to help her team secure the double overtime win and a spot in the NESCAC tournament.
  
With postseason implications on the line, Connecticut College (9-3-2, NESCAC 5-3-1) will finish up the regular season and NESCAC play on Tuesday when it travels to Wesleyan for a 3:00 p.m. matchup.