The Wednesday before the mid-semester break, the Lord Jeffs traveled up to Keene, N.H. to face Keene State University under the lights. The game began well enough for Amherst. Some quick shots and controlled ball work gave Amherst an early advantage, which culminated in an unassisted goal by junior Christine Ryan only eight minutes into the match.
Back and forth play dominated for the next 15 minutes until finally Keene State scored three goals in less then six minutes to take a 3-1 lead.
Keene scored the only goal of the second half off a penalty corner to end the game at the final whistle 4-1. Freshman Anne McMullin and sophomore K.C. Cosentino split halves in goal. McMullin made four saves, but allowed three goals, while Cosentino made a save and allowed a goal.
Tired of losing, the field hockey team decided to turn things around. On a miserable rainy and cold day, the Lord Jeffs took on the White Mules of Colby College the Saturday of mid-semester break. With only the most loyal of fans watching, Amherst came out ready to play. "The team knew that Colby was a very important game," Knerr said in retrospect. "And we played with a collective confidence that gave us momentum and put Colby on their heels."
Domination is the only word that could do justice for Saturday's exhibition. Amherst's offense found its groove fighting for 19 penalty corners and firing 19 shots in the game. The only goal of the game came from senior forward Abby Ouimet off a rebound a little less than 13 minutes into the first half.
However, this would be all Amherst needed to send the White Mules home with a loss. The defense had a stellar afternoon communicating well and playing together, allowing only four shots on McMullin and conceding only eight penalty corners.
The win marked the end of a painful four game losing streak for the Lord Jeffs and put the first tally into the win column of the NESCAC standings. The win could also come back to haunt Colby if head-to-head results prove the tiebreaker for NESCAC seeding.
"It was a great win where the team really came together," said Ryan. "We proved to ourselves how the team should be playing. And the win should help us stay on track."
Riding high after the big win, Amherst had to wait a full week before getting on the field again. Amherst traveled to Wesleyan University this weekend for its first match against Little III competition, and again displayed a tremendous effort on the field.
The women routinely made solid plays which do not show up on the stat sheets, such as winning numerous 50/50 balls and closing down passing lanes. After a gritty opening 30 minutes, senior forward Jenna Obelsky took a pass from midfielder Katherine Ryan to put away the only goal of the half to give the Jeffs a 1-0 lead.
The second half proved even more exciting than the first as the pace quickened and the tension mounted. The Cardinals managed to convert on an unassisted goal 20 minutes into the second half to tie up the match.
The game would remain tied and headed into overtime. Unfortunately, though Amherst played hard, the offense could not put together or complete a scoring play. Thirteen and a half minutes into the first overtime period Wesleyan's Melissa Courtemanche scored a goal to give the Cardinals the 2-1 win.
The win moved Wesleyan into a tie for fourth place in the NESCAC at a conference record of 4-3 and 8-4 overall, while Amherst takes the ninth spot in the NESCAC at 1-4 and 4-7 overall.
"Our team, although the scores haven't really showed it, has come a long way," said McMullin. "We really want to end with a positive outlook." Three NESCAC games remain, which will decide whether or not the field hockey team will be invited to this year's NESCAC Tournament.
"This team is a group of tenacious, hard working women who believe in themselves and their potential," said Knerr.
This Wednesday the dedicated Lord Jeffs will take on Connecticut College at Hitchcock Field before facing the Ephs of Williams College the following Saturday. Amherst must win at least one of the two to keep their playoff hopes alive.