However, the Jeffs had some huge holes to fill this spring with the loss of three All-Americans to graduation: mid-fielder Kristin Osborn '01, attacker Sarah Scheessele '01 and defender Alison Kitay '01.
The Jeffs put together another impressive season this year, reaching the NCAA Division III Final Four before falling to undefeated and second-ranked The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 10-7. The Jeffs defeated TCNJ in last year's final four 11-10 in overtime, but could not repeat their performance this year.
The Jeffs had plenty of talent left from last year's team, including Abby Ouimet '03,who led the NESCAC in scoring this year with 41 goals and 44 assists. Ouimet was recently named to the all-NESCAC First Team and First Team Division III New England regional All-American.
Senior co-captain defenders Cara Coscarelli and Carrie Foster, as well as transfer sensation Liz Martin '04E and goalie Brooke Diamond '03, were also named first team regional All-Americans. Coscarelli was also named First Team All-NESCAC, along with Martin who scored 52 goals this season. Midfielder Allison Aldrich '04 was named Second Team regional All-American and Second Team All-NESCAC along with Diamond. "The awards the team has received show how talented everyone is," Martin observed.
Martin was a pleasant surprise addition and took little time to adjust to her new team. "I already had some experience at the college level, but it took a while to figure out where I was going to fit in on the field," she said. "But it's worked out great. Everyone has been very accepting and wonderful to work with." Martin and Ouimet combined to form the deadliest scoring combination in the NESCAC with 93 goals.
Beginning their season with four victories, including a 6-5 victory this year over Mary Washington College, another Final Four team, the Jeffs looked very strong. Martin felt like the Jeffs' 12-6 victory over Salisbury College in the second game of the season was when the team realized their potential. "We felt something special in the Salisbury game. We really played well together and our defense was amazing," said Martin. Diamond was especially spectacular to begin the season, allowing only 22 goals in the first four games.
The fifth game of the season saw Amherst host Middlebury College, the defending National Champions. The Jeffs were overmatched, suffering their first loss of the season 8-4. Responding well, the Jeffs followed the loss with six consecutive victories leading into the NESCAC postseason tournament.
Trinity College and Williams College were no match for the streaking Jeffs in the first two rounds of the NESCAC tournament as Amherst won easily 11-6 and 17-8. The Williams game was especially important, according to Martin. "The second Williams game was the best. That was a point where the team was one unit, everyone could score, everyone could defend. The defense was unbelievable," she said."
Middlebury, however, ruined the Jeffs' winning streak again in the NESCAC finals 13-7. Middlebury jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and never let Amherst back into the game. Diamond recorded 13 saves in the loss and Ouimet tallied two goals and two assists, but it was not enough to defeat the mighty Panthers.
When the Jeffs were given the honor of hosting a regional as the number three-ranked team in the nation, they knew a return to the title game was definitely possible. The Jeffs defeated Colorado College 15-8 in the regional semis and then beat eighth-ranked Union College 13-6. In the victory over Colorado College, Aldrich scored five goals for the winners. Midfielder Mary Kate Allen '03 had her best game of the year, scoring three goals and adding four assists as well.
Against Union, midfielders Jackie Sargent '04 and Martin each contributed four goals. Ouimet had a tremendous game as well, scoring three goals and assisting on five others. Diamond was spectacular in net during both tournament games, recording 13 and 12 saves in the victories.
In the National Semifinals at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, the Jeffs faced the undefeated and second-ranked TCNJ. Having played them last year, the Jeffs knew to expect a tough back and forth game. Amherst tried not to look forward to a potential rematch with Middlebury, but the Panthers were definitely looming in the back of their minds. The College of New Jersey took advantage of their face-off dominance, won 15 of 19 and scored the last four goals of the second half to earn a 10-7 victory. Allen and Erin Beaumont '03 each scored two goals for Amherst and Laura Shifter '03 scored one goal and dished out two assists. Diamond continued her excellent play with nine saves.
The Jeffs finished the season with a 14-3 record and their only losses were to Middlebury twice and once to TCNJ, both of which played in the title game. With only three seniors on the roster, the Jeffs will once again look to return to the national spotlight next season.