Men's soccer has tough week against NESCAC rivals
By By Jane Sung Sports Editor
After 90 minutes of regulation play and two 15-minute overtime periods, the Lord Jeffs were unable to break the ice, finishing the game in a scoreless tie with Bowdoin College.

The Jeffs controlled most of the tempo of the game, but they were unable to convert on any of their scoring chances. The Jeffs best scoring chances came near the end of regulation and in the first overtime period. Franklin Perry '04 gathered a pass in the Bowdoin penalty area, but his shot went over the top of the Bowdoin net, narrowly missing giving the Jeffs the lead.

Late in the second half the Polar Bears came very close to ending the game. A Bowdoin player challenged Amherst goalie Bill Orum '02 for a ball in the air, knocking Orum down, and the ball trickled into the net. Luckily for the Jeffs, the Bears were called for a penalty, negating the goal.

The Polar Bears threatened again in the final minute of the second overtime. After clearing the ball out of their own end, the Bears had a two-on-two breakaway that almost ended in disaster for the Jeffs. Only Orum, racing out of net and challenging the shot, saved the game for the Jeffs, as it sailed wide of the net.

On the day the Jeffs totaled 15 shots, while limiting the Polar Bears to only three total shots.

"In some ways, it was a great game, a great effort," said injured Tri-captain Adrian Talbott '02. "But it also showed that we really need to start putting the ball away."

As if the tie on home turf wasn't bad enough, the Jeffs lost Tri-captain Ryan Goodband '02 to injury late in the game. Goodband went up for a header in the Bowdoin 18-yard box and was struck in the face by another players forehead. Goodband suffered multiple fractures of his cheekbone and was rushed to the hospital. He is expected to miss at least two weeks of play.

Last Tuesday, the Jeffs suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Tufts University. Again going to double overtime, the Jeffs fell 1-0 to the Jumbos.

The only tally of the game came in the 110th minute when Tufts' junior midfielder Garrett Dale headed the ball past Orum. Dale converted the header off of a cross from teammate Matt MacGregor.

Once again, both teams had a fair number of scoring chances, but most of the play was in the midfield, as neither team was able to build sustained attacks in the offensive end.

The game was physical, with 19 fouls for Amherst and 24 for Tufts. Tufts improved their record to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in NESCAC play. Amherst ended the game with a 15-8 shot advantage, but again they were unable to convert on any of their opportunities. The Jeffs' record fell to 4-1-1 overall and 3-1-1 in NESCAC play after these two games.

The men will play again this Saturday at home against Middlebury College. Injured players Dave Michener '02-who has seen limited action in the last two games-and Talbott are expected to be back playing for these games. They will play rival Williams College on Saturday, October 13. "Middlebury and Williams are the biggest games of the season," said Talbott.

Issue 05, Submitted 2001-10-03 23:29:59