Upcoming Women’s Lacrosse Championship: Tufts Prepares for NCAA Tournament
MEDFORD, MA (May 2, 2025) – The top-ranked Tufts University women’s lacrosse team is set to embark on its pursuit of the Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship this weekend. The Jumbos will kick off their tournament journey on Sunday, May 11, at 1 PM in Scranton, Pennsylvania, specifically on the campus of the University of Scranton at Weiss Field.
This match will see the Jumbos facing the winner of the first-round game between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Scranton, scheduled for Saturday, May 10, at 1 PM. Tufts is coming off a convincing 13-7 victory against Wesleyan University, which secured them the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) title last weekend.
Game Details
- Opponent: Winner of MIT vs. Scranton
- Date: Sunday, May 11, 2025
- Time: 1 PM
- Location: Weiss Field, Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Live Coverage: Available for live stats and video
Tufts Against MIT and Scranton
The Jumbos have a dominating history against MIT, having won all nine encounters since 2016 with a cumulative score of 161-63. Their most recent matchup was earlier this season, where Tufts triumphed 19-3 on Bello Field. In that game, Allie Zorn led the Jumbos with three goals, contributing to a total of 13 players scoring. On the other hand, Tufts has yet to compete against the University of Scranton, making this potential matchup particularly intriguing.
Assessing the No. 1 Jumbos (17-1, 9-1 NESCAC)
As the number one seed in the tournament, the Jumbos are enthusiastic about their chances. This marks their tenth appearance in the NCAA tournament as they pursue their first national crown. Tufts has been impressive in their recent games, outscoring NESCAC opponents 63-19 in the conference tournament. Notably, their 23-3 victory against Bates highlights their season’s highest point total and margin of victory.
Earlier this week, six players from the Jumbos received All-NESCAC honors: Genna Gibbons, Margie Carden, Allie Zorn, and Madeline Delaney were named to the First Team, while Emma Joyce and Ella Lesperance received Second Team recognition. Carden also earned the title of NESCAC Player of the Week and IWLCA National Offensive Player of the Week for her stellar performance of ten goals over two games last weekend.
Tufts’ offensive performance has been formidable this season, averaging 17.56 goals per game, ranking first in NESCAC and sixth nationally. The team also excels at maintaining possession, demonstrated by a conference-low 217 turnovers, and they excel at draw controls with a 62% success rate.
Squad Leaders and Defensive Strategy
Margie Carden leads Tufts with 55 goals this season, closely followed by Allie Zorn, who has 53 goals and a team-high 73 points. Zorn averages 4.06 points per game, ranking second in the NESCAC. Ella Lesperance has also contributed significantly, with 30 goals and a team-leading 33 assists. Overall, 11 players on the team have achieved double-digit goal totals this year.
Defensively, Tufts has allowed an average of 6.89 goals per game, ranking 14th nationally. The defense has been anchored by Pascale de Buren, who has played all 18 games in goal, registering a save percentage of 52%. This weekend will signify a fresh start for the team, aiming to improve their past results, which saw them reach the finals and quarterfinals in the previous two years.
Profiles of Other Tournament Competitors
- University of Scranton (14-5, 9-0 Landmark Conference)
The Royals are entering the tournament with momentum, having won 14 of their last 15 games after a challenging start. They claimed the Landmark Conference Championship for the third consecutive year, showcasing a strong offensive lineup led by Grace Lane and Jillian Lopez, both with impressive scoring statistics.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (13-7, 9-1 NEWMAC)
MIT has been on a seven-game winning streak, culminating in a conference championship victory over Babson College. Offensively, Annica Lam and Ashley Thomas have been the standout players, contributing significantly to the team’s goal tally. If they advance, they will seek to avenge their earlier loss to Tufts.
Weekend Schedule
- Saturday, May 10 – First Round
- 1 PM – MIT vs. Scranton
- Sunday, May 11 – Second Round
- 1 PM – Tufts vs. Saturday Winner
–JUMBOS–
