CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Lesley University women's soccer program will face No. 3 ranked Tufts University in the opening weekend of the 2025 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament on Saturday, November 15 at 11:00 AM. Tufts earned hosting rights for the opening weekend of the Tournament and will also host a contest later on Saturday between No. 11 Wesleyan University and No. 21 New York University in the second First Round game on Bello Field.
Game Details
Tournament Schedule:
NCAA Opening Rounds Tournament Homepage
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Tufts University (14-1-3) vs. Lesley University (11-3-6) - 11 a.m.
Wesleyan University (9-4-3) vs. NYU (9-6-3) - 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Remaining Two Teams - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Medford, Mass. – Bello Field - Directions
Weather: Sunny, Low 40s, Chance of Rain: 0%, Wind: W 10-15 MPH
Tickets: Adults: $15; Seniors, Children: $10, Kids Under 3: Free
Live Coverage: LIVE STATS – LIVE VIDEO
Tufts (14-1-3) was ranked as the No. 3 ranked squad in the final NPI rankings, which are used for selection and seeding in the NCAA Tournament. After Sunday's thrilling New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament title, the Jumbos were an automatic qualifier to the Tournament, and will make their 12th appearance in the national tournament. Tufts is looking for its fourth NCAA Final Four appearance this season.
The Jumbos will take on the Lynx of Lesley University, who come into this weekend 11-3-6 on the season after winning the North Atlantic Conference title with a 3-1 win over Maine Maritime Academy this past Saturday. Lesley has played a pair of games against ranked opponents this season, falling to No. 12 MIT 6-0 back on September 2 before drawing with No. 11 Brandeis University 1-1 on September 24.
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:
Lesley owns a 2-1-1 all-time record vs. the Jumbos. The two teams played four straight seasons from 2014 to 2017. The Jumbos won the first meeting 2-1 back in 2014 on a pair of goals by Mariah Harvey-Brown, while Lesley has won the last two of the last three meeting 1-0. Both 1-0 wins came in overtime for the Lynx with Samantha Bessey recording the game-winner in both contests.
10/17/17 – 1-0, Win @ Tufts
9/14/16 – 1-1, Tie @ Lesley
9/9/15 – 1-0, Win @ Tufts
9/30/14 – 2-1 Loss @ Tufts
Lesley Quick Facts:
- Since the first day of classes this fall, the Lynx have outscored opponents by a 48-10 (+38) margin.
- The Lynx have recorded 10 shutouts on the year and posted a 0.33 GAA in NAC play.
Tufts Quick Facts:
- The Jumbos played five nationally ranked opponents this fall, posting a 2-0-3 record with wins over #12 MIT and #24 Colby and draws vs. #21 Wesleyan, #10 Middlebury and #10 Williams.
- Tufts also recorded 10 shutouts this season and boast a 7-1-2 record at home this fall.
Players to Watch:
LESLEY
Sophomore forward Leecy Cruz (San Antonio, Texas) – Cruz leads the Lynx in points (23) and points (9) and Lesley has posted a 7-0-1 record in matches she's recorded at least one point in this year.
Junior midfielder Bethany Slivka (Berkley, Mass.) – The junior led Lesley while ranking second in the NAC in assists (9) and has dished out seven assists over the last seven games for LU.
TUFTS
Gigi Edwards has been one of the most reliable and efficient keepers in the region. She boasts an 11-1-3 record, a stingy 0.54 GAA, and an impressive .871 save percentage.
NESCAC Player of the Year Elsi Aires has compiled 10 goals, including four game-winners, to go along with four assists for 24 points while firing a team-high 86 shots.
COACHES CORNER
In his 19th year with the program, Lesley Head Coach Paul Vasconcelos enters Saturday with a career record of 259-82-28 for an all-time winning percentage of .740. He helped the squad capture the programs 11th conference championship and 10th NCAA tournament bid.
Martha Whiting has been the Tufts skipper since 1999 and in 27 years with the Jumbos holds an all-time record of 258-131-52 for a .644 winning clip. This marks her 11th trip to the NCAA tournament and second NESCAC crown (2002, 2025).
Vasconcelos and Whiting both captured their 250th career coaching victory on the same day earlier this season (Sept. 21, 2025) and both coaches have compiled all their wins with their same respective programs.
