Playing at Williams in front of 1,500 fans, the Jeffs took control of the game in the opening period. Darce Swaggert '01 scored the first goal of the game with just 2:34 remaining in the first frame. Swaggert, positioned at the blue line, hit a slap shot over the shoulder of Williams goalie Benjamin Fash.
Regarding the rivalry that exists between Williams and Amherst. Swaggert replied, "Definitely, the crowd was hostile; it was a rivalry. You always play at the top of your game against Williams. The Williams fans were definitely out There were 1500 of them. It's fun to play in front of a big crowd. Amherst fans are cool too."
The first period was a wide-open battle, with the teams combining for 23 shots. Amherst goalie Nick Rieser '01 stopped all 10 that he faced, continuing his stellar play.
After being named the NESCAC Player of the Week for the prior week, Rieser also was named the United States College Hockey Online National Defensive Player of the Week. Rieser won that award once last year as well.
In the second period, Swaggert widened the Jeff lead, despite being whistled for a penalty 10:24 into the period, and Williams had a power play.
The Ephs squandered this opportunity, however, as one of their players was whistled for a slashing penalty just a minute later.
With the puck in the Amherst defensive zone Swaggert came out of the penalty box and received a perfect pass from Jim Smith '01. Swaggert had a breakaway opportunity, which Fash stopped, but he was able to put in his own rebound and give the Jeffs a 2-0 lead.
In the third period the Ephs made a charge, but in the end they fell just short.
After Williams stole the puck in the Amherst defensive zone, Rieser made a solid save but was unable to control the rebound. Josh Truitt slipped it into the back of the net, cutting Amherst's lead to one goal.
"The thought that we might lose the game never came across anyone's mind. I think we were confident with our defense and our goaltender has been playing really well," said Swaggert.
Mike Kreger '04 added the Jeffs' third goal six minutes later. After a perfect pass from Erich Schram '03, the rookie Kreger one-timed the shot past Fash, scoring the game-winning goal.
The Ephs continued to battle, and they drew to within one goal with just over five minutes remaining; Brian Teixeira added the goal, but the Ephs were unable to draw any closer.
The Jeffs outshot the Ephs 42-29 in the game, and Rieser made 27 saves.
After three years of futility against Williams, the Class of 2001 finally beat the Ephs, and this weekend they will get the chance to do so again. The Amherst squad finished the regular season ranked second in the conference, and as a result they will host the Ephs in the first round of the inaugural NESCAC Tournament.
In their only other action of the week, the Jeffs beat Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) 4-2 last Friday night.
Bob Miele '02 was the offensive star for the Jeffs, recording his third hat trick of the season. In his two earlier hat tricks he scored all of his goals on the power play, and against MCLA he had two goals with the man advantage.
His first goal came with 36 seconds left in the first period. After a MCLA player was whistled for interference, Miele took advantage and added his eighth power play goal of the season. Assists went to Darren Reaume '02 and Smith.
In the second period the Jeff offense and Miele capitalized again, this time with the two teams at even strength. With 5:32 left in the period, he put the Jeffs up 2-0, with Reaume and Smith assisting on the play for the second time.
MCLA responded with a pair of goals, tying the game. Just two and a half minutes after Miele put the Jeffs up 2-0, MCLA answered.
Eight minutes into the final period the home team tied the score, with Jay Vandura tallying the goal, but again penalties got MCLA in trouble.
Miele completed the hat-trick 10:37 into the final period, with the assist going to Smith. Miele leads the team with nine power play goals and is the second leading scorer on the team with 13 goals and 15 assists. Smith, the Jeffs leading scorer with 12 goals and 22 assists, has assisted on seven of Miele's power play goals.
Late in the game MCLA pulled their goalie in an attempt to tie the game, but Reaume added an empty-net goal. Rieser and Swaggert had assists on the play.
Rieser had another solid game in net, making 19 saves. The assist was his first point of the season.