Amherst, however, was busy this past week, playing three non-conference games. Last Wednesday night, they hosted the University of Massachusetts club team in the Battle of North Pleasant Street. The exhibition game didn't count for anything except local pride, and the Amherst women earned the hearts of the community by romping to a 10-4 victory. K.C. Cosentino '05 made the start in place of tri-captain goalie Heidi Alexander, who was named U.S. College Hockey Online Women's Defensive Player of the Week for her performances against Trinity College and Wesleyan University last weekend. Cosentino turned aside nine Minutemen shots en route to the victory. Tri-captain forward Danielle Williams '03 led the Jeffs in the scoring column with a trio of goals and an assist to boot. Sophomore forwards Katie Potter and Tory Serues each added two goals of their own.
The Boston University (BU) club team came calling Saturday night, and left town with a 2-1 exhibition win. The visitors jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals in the first and second periods. Defenseman Elissa Landes '04 halved the BU lead on a second period goal from Williams and Potter, but it wasn't enough. With the win, BU evened the season series at 1-1.
It was back to business for Amherst on Sunday. They hosted New England College in a non-conference matchup that figured into the overall statistics for both teams. The Jeffs are, no doubt, happy that this one counted, because they feasted on the weak Pilgrim D and came away with a 7-1 victory.
The story of the game was tri-captain defender Hilary Zwerdling '02 making her final appearance at Orr Rink. The Jeffs' only senior, in her second year as captain, gave the appreciative home crowd something to remember her by, recording four assists on the day. "My final day was perfect," said Zwerdling. "The team really came together for a solid win and a memorable game. The four assists were an added bonus but hardly the highlight."
She would have had a fifth, however, if not for her honesty. Zwerdling was initially credited with a secondary assist on the Jeff's third goal. But at the conclusion of the first period, she skated over to the scorer's table to inform them that it was not Potter but Serues who had scored. The selfless move on the part of the captain took the point away from herself and gave it to her teammate Serues. The final scoring on the play reads Serues from Potter and Sarah Mason '05, but most will agree Zwerdling earned a tertiary assist on the play.
Both Serues and forward Ellie Roe '05 tallied two goals. Roe, who in her first year is tied for fifth place on the team in scoring, has been a big part of the offense this year. "As a freshman, it has been a wonderful experience to contribute to the success of our team," said Roe.
At 6-12-1 (4-10-1), Amherst earned its playoff berth thanks to help from 5-13 (4-12) Trinity College and 2-16 (2-12) Connecticut College. Trinity, whose improbable victory over Williams College on Sunday boosted their own playoff chances, lost to Middlebury College on Saturday and, with it, their playoff berth. Likewise, Conn split its two games with Hamilton College, guaranteeing that the Camels will finish with a weaker record than the Jeffs.
Right now the Jeffs are playing perhaps their best hockey of the season and it couldn't come at a better time, "I think our playing has definitely gotten better as this season has progressed," said Roe. "I hope that, as we play our last games, we put everything together for a strong finish during playoffs."
The Jeffs face off against the College of Holy Cross tonight in Worcester, before their final regular season game at Hamilton on Saturday.