MEDFORD, Mass. – The Connecticut College field hockey team dropped a 5-1 decision in its NESCAC opener at No. 4 Tufts University on Saturday afternoon at Onjian Field.

The Jumbos scored four goals in the first half as Ashley Zolin and Jackie McCarthy connected on two early penalty corner opportunities. The Camels played even in the second half as Hannah Webster (Attleboro, Mass.) knocked in her first goal of the young season.

McCarthy gave Tufts a 1-0 lead just 1:10 into the game, scoring on a deflection off the right pad of Camels goalie Sophie Moniz (Alexandria, Va.). Three minutes into the second period, McCarthy tallied her second goal, this time high into the left side of the cage off Zolin's insert.

Conn produced several scoring chances in the opening half, forcing Tufts goalie Sam Gibby into making five saves.  Kylee Quinn (Sandwich, Mass.) was denied on a penalty stroke early in the second period, and the Camels also hit the post on a corner try right before.

The Jumbos built their lead to 4-0 by intermission, scoring twice in the final five minutes of the half. Mia D'Angelo scored from the middle of the circle for Tufts' third goal, and Rachel Scrivanich tacked on the fourth in the final moments of the stanza. 

Tufts went up 5-0 with 3:48 left in the third as Meghan MacDonald scored her first collegiate goal. The Camels responded with a well-deserved goal to break up the shutout late in the third. Off a corner, Hope Melanson (Wakefield, Mass.) sent a ball from the center of the circle that trickled by Gibby, and Webster was there to knock it in.

Tufts finished the game with a 21-15 edge in shots and a 9-8 advantage in corners. Gibby ended with seven saves while Moniz recorded six. Webster also had a defensive save for the Camels.

Conn (0-2 overall) will next play at Western New England College on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30 p.m.