"We just had the feeling that this is our turn and now let's just get it done," said Head Coach Chris Paradis.
Not only did Sunday's win give the women's lacrosse team its first ever national title, it also marks the second time that a team from Amherst has earned the right to be called national champions. The women's tennis team was the first squad to accomplish this feat back in 1999.
Entering the game on the heels of a 51-game winning streak and having bested Amherst twice earlier in the year by convincing margins, the two-time defending national champion Panthers entered Sunday's championship game as clear favorites. Middlebury was also responsible for Amherst's two previous championship game losses in 1999 and 2001. The third time was a charm -just not for the Panthers.
Middlebury jumped out to an early 5-2 lead but was held scoreless for the remainder of the first half thanks to a stifling defensive effort lead by senior tri-captain goalie Brooke Diamond. The Jeffs kept themselves within striking distance of their NESCAC rivals, heading into the half down only 5-3.
"Brooke Diamond came up with some huge saves today," said Allison Aldrich '04. "She really kept us in the game."
Aldrich came out gunning herself after the intermission. She scored the first goal of the final half of play to bring the Jeffs within one. After a Middlebury goal put the Panthers up 6-4, Aldrich added an assist and a goal to her stat sheet to knot the score at six apiece.
The Panthers retaliated with two goals of their own and looked to be pulling away with an 8-6 advantage. Up two goals, the Panthers elected to stay aggressive on offense rather than just run out the clock. Liz Martin '04, Amherst's leading goal scorer, would make the Panthers regret that decision. Following a Diamond save, Amherst regained control of the game. Martin quickly tallied two goals to even the score at eight apiece.
Middlebury took the lead one final time as Kristin Hanley scored with seven minutes to go in the game.
But Martin wasn't yet finished. The junior struck twice within a span of 82 seconds for her 65th and 66th goals of the season to give the Jeffs a 10-9 lead which they would not relinquish. Following a crucial interception by tri-captain senior Erin Beaumont, Abby Ouimet '03 scored a goal with four seconds to play in the game to seal the 11-9 win.
Martin's six goals led all scorers. Aldrich finished the game with three goals and one assist, while Ouimet had three assists and one goal. Ouimet finishes the season as Amherst's top scorer with an incredible 103 points.
Diamond had an amazing game in goal, finishing with 12 saves on the day which gave her 25 total for the Final Four weekend. Diamond was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player for her fabulous weekend of play.
Martin, Ouimet, Laura Schifter '03 and tri-captain Annie Jamieson '03 joined Diamond on the All-Tournament team.
The championship victory marked the end of the collegiate careers of the members of the stellar Class of 2003. Seniors Diamond Ouimet, Schifter, Erin Beaumont, Molly O'Connor, Brianne Watkins and Mary Kate Allen have been to three Final Fours, two National Championship games and have compiled a four year record of 60-9. But they certainly saved their best for last.
"The eight seniors [on] our team demonstrated outstanding leadership and kept us all calm and focused," said Aldrich.
The women reached the championship game by knocking off The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in the Final Four by a final count of 12-10. TCNJ, which entered the game undefeated, ended Amherst's season last year with a 10-7 win in the National Semifinal round.
An early second half run engineered by Ouimet pushed the Jeffs into the championship game. Ouimet led Amherst with four goals and one assist.
The weekend of May 10, the Jeffs traveled to Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania for the Round of 16 and Quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament. Amherst bested SUNY-Cortland 20-9 in the Round of 16 thanks to a ten-point game by Ouimet and then routed Gettysburg the following day by a 12-5 margin.