Before Saturday, the Jeffs had dropped back-to-back games for the second time this season, losing a 2-0 decision at Middlebury College and a 2-1 heartbreaker against Tufts in which the Jumbos scored in the 90th minute to steal the win.
Before Saturday, the Jeffs had four losses, their most in a season since 1995, with four games still remaining.
Before Saturday, the offense had been sputtering, leaving too much pressure on the strong-but young-defense.
Before Saturday, the Jeffs had not defeated their arch-rivals Williams College since 1997, a streak that included an overtime loss in 1998, a penalty-kick loss in that year's NCAA Tournament and a scoreless tie in Williamstown last year.
Before Saturday, the entire 2000 season had been one characterized by missed opportunities and heartbreaking losses.
Then, Saturday-and the Jeffs' incredible 1-0 win over the favored Ephs on Hitchcock Field-happened.
"It was an amazing feeling," said midfielder Sarah O'Keefe '02. "We played with the confidence we were lacking in the Middlebury and Bowdoin games, which contributed to the win. Coach [Morgan] told us that we had to play our best soccer of the season on Saturday and we did."
Hallison Putnam '02 agreed. "We played as a complete team on Saturday, and that made all of the difference," she said. "We had a busy week leading up to the game and we had several injured players, but everyone played with more intensity than we've played with all season."
That added intensity began with Putnam, who scored the lone goal in the Jeffs' 1-0 win over Eastern Connecticut State University on Thursday, and was the hero again on Saturday, pouncing on a rebound of her own shot in the 52nd minute for the lone goal of the dramatic back-and-forth affair. Putnam earned NESCAC Player of the Week accolades for her heroics, starting only her third career game in the midfield.
"Hallison has been unbelievable for us in the past three games," said goalie Brooke Diamond '03. "She has been doing a great job controlling play even at a position she's not used to. I really think that her increased level of play is a big reason why we're turning things around."
The turnaround could not come at a better time for the Jeffs, who have endured one of their tougher regular season campaigns in recent memory, including the back-to-back losses to Middlebury and Tufts. With the first-ever NESCAC tournament-to which they clinched a bid with Saturday's win-set to begin one week from yesterday, however, the Jeffs could prove to be a dangerous team in the seven-team draw.
"We're starting to peak just in time for post-season play," said Putnam. "A win over Williams gives us the momentum we need."
Diamond agreed. "It will be exciting to see how the season plays out, and we're lucky because it seems that we're peaking at the right time," added the sophomore, who recorded her seventh shutout of the season with 10 saves on Saturday. "If we can keep this momentum going into the tournament, then I think we have a chance to take teams by surprise."
The Jeffs still have two more games this week before the opening round of the conference tournament next Tuesday, including Thursday's Senior Day tilt with Mount Holyoke College and Saturday's regular season finale at Wesleyan University. Along with clinching the Little III title outright, a win on Saturday would guarantee the Jeffs a seed no lower than fifth in the draw.
With a newfangled sense of confidence and the momentum of such a huge win over such a bitter rival, the Jeffs sent a statement that they are not a team to be taken lightly. It's been a tough year for the Jeffs, and it is entirely possible that many of their opponents may have done just that.
Before Saturday, anyway.