NEW LONDON, Conn.--Connecticut College (4-9, 0-8) scored four goals in the closing 2:28 of regulation but it was not enough as sixth ranked Tufts (12-1, 7-1) extended its winning streak to eight games with a 16-13 NESCAC victory in New London Sunday.

Junior attack Emily Johnson (Yarmouth, Maine) netted six goals to lead the visitors in the win. Courtney Thomas (Needham, Mass.) had three goals and one assist for the Jumbos. Lara Kozin (Suffern, N.Y.) scored two goals and assisted on two others in the second half of play.

Connecticut College senior Paige Pascarelli (Wayne, Pa.) scored three goals in the contest, reaching a career milestone with her 100th collegiate point in the first half. Ali McPherson (Old Lyme, Conn.) contributed with three second half scores for the Camels. Sara Christopher (Andover, Mass.) notched a team-high five points with four assists and a goal.

Johnson vaulted the Jumbos out to a 4-2 advantage with 17:47 remaining, scoring on a feed from Maya Shoham (West Hartford, Conn.). With 14:29 to go, Christopher assisted Hope Barone (North Kingstown, R.I.) with a pass from behind the cage for a goal to pull the Camels to within one at 4-3. In the closing 7:07 of the half, the Jumbos found some breathing room with an efficient 5-0 run. Johnson scored three goals during the stretch and the visitors carried a 9-3 lead into the break.

In the latter stages of the second stanza, Kozin scored to make it a 16-9 game and the Jumbos had matched their largest advantage with 3:05 to go. The Camels staged a late rally to make things interesting. Ashley Crutchfield (Concord, N.H.) and Christopher buried free positions and it was 16-11 with 1:12 left.

With 54.9 second to play, Christopher was the feeder on another Crutchfield score. Pascarelli made it a 16-13 score with 27.3 seconds remaining, rifling home a free position score for the hosts. But on the ensuing faceoff, Tufts was able to collect the draw control and hold on to the ball and the 16-13 win.

Sophomore Sarah Bloom (Summit, N.J.) finished with 14 saves in the victory for the visitors. Rookie net-minder Ashleigh Kowtoniuk (Johnstown, Pa.) had seven saves in first half action for Connecticut College. Jenna Ross (Longmeadow, Mass.) made five stops in the second half of play.

Tufts will host Bowdoin College this Friday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. in its regular season finale. The Camels will close out their season with a 4:30 p.m. game against Wesleyan University in New London Friday.

2009-04-19