NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--The Smith College soccer team (5-6, 2-3 NEWMAC) will take the field for the first time in a week when they travel to Babson College (6-6-1, 3-2 NEWMAC) in a crucial league matchup on Saturday. 

Last Meeting: A stirring comeback effort fell just short as Babson edged Smith 3-2 on October 24, 2011.  The Beavers led 2-0 at halftime and added a third five minutes into the second half.  Smith put a twist in the plot when Ellie Theurer (Gainesville, Fla./Oak Hall) scored twice in the final 13 minutes, but Smith could not find the tying goal.

Last Smith Win: October 29, 2005 - In a NEWMAC quarterfinal matchup, No. 5 Smith outshot the No. 4 Beavers 20-4, but were made to play eight extra minutes before Monroe Peterson stabbed home an overtime winner as Smith won 1-0 to advance to the NEWMAC semifinal.  Smith was the only higher seeded team to win their opening round game that season.

Smith Overview: Each of the last three games for Smith has gone to overtime, including a 1-0 loss to then No. 14 Wheaton last Saturday.  Today's game begins a set of three straight league games that will have a big impact on the NEWMAC playoff race.

Babson Overview: After a 1-4-1 start to the season, the Beavers have righted the ship, going 5-2 in their last seven.  The Beavers have been in several close contests this year - every NEWMAC game has been a one goal contest this year.

Smith Player to Watch: Kaitlin Johnson has been an everpresent on a Smith defense that has allowed just 11 goals in 11 games.  Her experience will be needed against a Babson team that has scored twice that amount.

Babson Player to Watch:  Amy Festa leads the team with six goals, including three game winners.

Did you know? The last three contests for Smith have gone to overtime.  Should today's contest reach OT, the Pioneers would match a streak of contests done by several teams in recent years.  The women's record for overtime contests in a season is held by Ithaca College in 1989.  The men's record is nine, done by Allegheny College in 1996 and Williams College in 2010.