Women’s soccer continued their impressive run in their NESCAC quarterfinal match on Saturday with a gritty win over the sixth-seeded Tufts University Jumbos. With the victory, the Continentals improve to an overall record of 13–1–2, while maintaining their unbeaten season at home. Hamilton will move on to the NESCAC semifinal, where they will compete against the Wesleyan Cardinals.
The Continentals fully deserved their 1–0 win over Tufts, but it did not come easily. Olivia Zubarik ’25 scored the decisive goal in the 47th minute after a low driven cross from Hyla Mosher ’23 put her in behind the Jumbos’ backline. Following a tightly contested first half in which
chances to score were few and far between for both teams, the goal changed the dynamic of play. Hamilton controlled the game for the remainder of the second half, bossing possession and managing the clock.
Although Zubarik provided the winning goal, she was also sure to credit a collective effort by the team for the win. “The energy within the team, especially throughout the second half, really elevated the intensity of play and contributed to scoring opportunities,” she said. There was a noticeable spark in the second half performance which showed that the team was unsatisfied with the first, and Zubarik capitalized on it.
Continentals’ goalkeeper Caity Smith ’23 made a major impact on the game with seven saves, thus keeping Hamilton in the game at times in the first half. Rylie Mutton ’23 and Olivia Morrow ’24 also had standout performances in midfield.
Hamilton heads into their Nov. 6 semifinal matchup ranked №17 in the nation. This will be Women’s Soccer’s second semifinal appearance since they became a part of the NESCAC in 2011. Their opponents, the Wesleyan Cardinals, edged the seventh-seeded Bowdoin Polar Bears in their quarterfinal matchup on Saturday. Despite the tight 2–1 scoreline, Wesleyan dominated the game, with 18 efforts on goal to Bowdoin’s six.
Hamilton is ready for the biggest match of the season, and they know that they have the ability to win it. “I think that our expectations going into this game are no different to how we’ve approached other games,” said Zubarik. “Bringing intensity, continuing to work hard and having the mindset that we have the capability to compete against any team are important.”
The Continentals’ only loss during the regular season was by the Cardinals in an away game on Oct. 23, which resulted in a 3–0 defeat. Hamilton will be looking to correct their mistakes from the loss and come out firing in the rematch.
Both NESCAC women’s soccer semifinal games will take place in Amherst on Saturday, with the championship game on Sunday at the same location. If Hamilton wins, they will take on the winner of first seed Amherst and fourth seed Middlebury for the NESCAC championship title.
