Courtesy Tufts Sports Information

CLINTON, N.Y. - Sophomore Cara Cadigan (Nahant, Mass.), the NESCAC Rookie of the Year, scored one goal and added two assists in leading Tufts past Emmanuel College, 3-1, in an NCAA Division III women's soccer championships first round game at Hamilton College's Love Field on Saturday afternoon.

Tufts, making its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance, will play site host Hamilton College in the second round on Sunday afternoon at 1:00. The Continentals were 2-0 winners over Moravian in the other first-round game at the Hamilton Regional.

Emmanuel (17-3-2 overall) scored first on an unassisted goal by first-year Amber Di Nucci in the 36th minute on the Saints' only shot of the first half. Di Nucci led the team with 18 goals this season. The Saints' loss snapped a 16-game unbeaten streak.

The score remained 1-0 until Cadigan tied it for the Jumbos (13-3-1) in the 67th minute by also scoring her team-leading 18th goal. Sophomore Ali Maxwell (Exeter, N.H.) and senior co-captain Martha Furtek (East Falmouth, Mass.) had the assists. First-year Sarah Nolet (Los Altos, Calif.) scored the game-winner exactly four minutes later. A shot from senior Lauren Fedore (East Lansing, Mich.) hit the post, and Nolet punched in the rebound. Sophomore Fanna Gamal (Albany, Calif.) scored her third goal of the year to provide the final margin.

Junior Laureyn Furtney finished with 10 saves for the Saints. Sophomore Kate Minnehan (Hopkinton, N.H.)had four saves for the Jumbos. Tufts outshot Emmanuel, 28-6.

Tufts, two-time national semifinalists (2000 and 2005), was the national runner-up in 2000. The Jumbos have a 10-4-3 all-time record in five NCAA championships appearances.