The Jeffs started out slow, allowing the Cardinals to build up a 4-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game.
"The whole team, including the defense, was asleep for the first 10 minutes of the game," said goalkeeper Olivia D'Ambrosio '06. "Wesleyan came out 10 times as pumped as we did, and it showed. Once we shaped up, though, they didn't score again for the rest of the half."
Amherst came back with a vengeance on offense and defense halfway through the first half, scoring five straight goals sparked by a free-position goal by Martin at 15:14. The second half saw more of the same, as the Jeffs scored six of the first seven goals. Harmeling had four of these along with three assists in the game and a goal in the first frame.
"Ashley and Liz both had great games against Wesleyan," said Aldrich. "They took control of the game and put in the goals that we needed. They have been working well together all season and it really showed against Wesleyan when we were down four goals and needed somebody to take charge."
Aldrich and Caitlin Parker '06 also had an assist apiece. Aldrich's two points put her at 150 career points. Martin's five goals brought her career point total up to 298.
D'Ambrosio had 12 saves in the win. She has a .588 save percentage on the season and a goals against average of 8.20.
Defensively, Harmeling caused five Cardinal turnovers, and senior tri-captain Jackie Sargent caused three. Harmeling also picked up a team-leading eight groundballs. The junior forward's 76 points on 43 goals and 33 assists leads the NESCAC. Martin's 50 points on 35 goals and 15 assists ranks her second on the team.
The Jeffs face the Tufts University Jumbos this afternoon at 4:30. On Saturday, Amherst faces Williams College at 11:30 on Memorial Field. The Ephs are tied with the Middlebury Panthers for first in the conference; however, Williams has yet to face Amherst or Middlebury.
"It is our last chance to really pull things together and play 60 minutes of high-level lacrosse with no let-downs," said D'Ambrosio. "We did it in the Bowdoin and Springfield games, and I think we can do it again."
Sunday marks the first round of the NESCAC Tournament. Amherst will almost certainly host a first-round game; however, the outcome of this afternoon's contest against Tufts and Saturday's Williams game will determine the opponent.