Two weeks ago, after unfortunate losses to Wheaton and Bowdoin Colleges, the women's soccer team made some formation adjustments in an attempt to jump start the offense and find new chemistry in the midfield and defense. Since the two losses, the team has played with a new fire, which has led to consecutive NESCAC victories over Middlebury College last week and Colby College and Wesleyan University this week. With only three games remaining, including two in the NESCAC against Williams College and Trinity College, the Jeffs stand at 7-4 (5-2), tied with Tufts University and Williams for first place.

"We're playing with a new formation and everything seems to be clicking," said sophomore Adrienne Showler. "Last year we gained momentum at this time also and we seem to be following the same pattern this year."

The Jeffs played almost flawlessly this week in wins over Colby, 3-1, and Wesleyan, 4-0. In the Wesleyan game, the Jeffs spoiled the Cardinals homecoming, with a dominating performance by Showler, who recorded her first career hat trick. With a team-leading seven goals on the season, Showler has developed into a potent scoring threat whenever she touches the ball. "I'm getting a lot of really great passes. I haven't had a hat trick since I was about 15 years old, so [scoring a lot of goals] is sort of new for me," she said.

After scoring her first goal unassisted, Showler was aided by classmate Lee-Jay Henry '05 on the second, giving the Jeffs a commanding 2-0 lead after only 25 minutes. Five minutes later, freshman midfielder Sarah Coleman finished the first-half scoring with an unassisted goal of her own, extending Amherst's lead to 3-0.

In the second half, the Jeffs did not let up at all, as Showler completed the hat trick in the 73rd minute. Four goals were plenty for co-captain goaltender Brooke Diamond '03, who secured her fifth shutout of the year.

In the 3-1 victory over Colby, the Jeffs maintained control of the game throughout, despite severe rainy and wet conditions. "Everyone was slipping and sliding all over the place. It was really wet, the deciding factor was that we just wanted it more," said Showler.

Colby jumped out on top early, as forward Christine O'Donnell beat Diamond for the first goal of the game in the seventh minute. Amherst sophomore Tracy Montigny responded less than four minutes later, scoring her first goal of the season to level the score at one apiece. Only five minutes later, the Jeffs struck again as Showler converted a pass from Sara Elkins '04, giving the Jeffs a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

Ashley Harmeling '05 added her fifth goal of the season only three minutes into the second half to finish the scoring. After Harmeling's goal, the Jeffs clamped down on defense. Freshman Lyn Wojcik and the rest of the defensive unit continued their fine play of late, shutting down the Mules in the second half. Diamond recorded an impressive eight saves in the victory.

Amherst's excellent play of late has not surprised Showler, who thinks these last few wins have given the team the boost it needs to make a postseason run. "These games have given us a lot of confidence that we can put the ball into the net," said Showler. "We've had great effort and have controlled the pace of the games."

The Jeffs return to action with home games on Thursday against Mount Holyoke College and Little III rival Williams College on Saturday.