After a week-long break, the Jeffs took the field ready to play on Saturday against the Tufts Jumbos. Amherst continued to exert offensive dominance and wasted no time in tallying a goal. Just 3:58 into the game Rob Madden '07 found the net after receiving a cross from junior striker Joe Gannon, giving the Lord Jeffs an early 1-0 lead. The assist was Gannon's team-high third of the season.
Amherst's ball control offense and unyielding defense allowed them to dictate play throughout the game and hold onto their one goal advantage. Ben Lavely '06 led Amherst's fierce defensive effort and made junior goalkeeper Greg Lockwood's job easy. Tufts managed just seven shots in Lockwood's 11th career shutout and his second of the season.
Although the Jeffs would only need the one goal, sophomore Mike Wohl put the nail in the coffin in the final minute of play when he capitalized on a gorgeous pass from Madden. The win upped Amherst's conference mark to 2-0.
"Tufts was our toughest game thus far. It was a game that demanded everyone to play well," said Madden. "Our defense never really let Tufts have a legitimate scoring chance and our offense finished the opportunities it had."
The next day, the team traveled to Newport, R.I., to take on the Salve Regina Seahawks in a non-conference battle. While the Lord Jeffs continued to exert offensive supremacy, they did not jump out to an early lead in this contest. The game remained scoreless until the 43rd minute when rookie Taylor Downs sent a long ball to Adrien de Bontin '06, who then found Wohl open for the go-ahead goal.
Wohl has been Amherst's most consistent offensive weapon, scoring in each of the team's five games. The sophomore sensation has six goals on the season. Classmate Madden has also added two goals and a pair of assists to help pace the Lord Jeff's offense this year. "Those two have really come to play this season. Both are tremendously fit, athletic players with great work rates," said senior co-captain Matt Langione of the second-year duo.
Although the Jeffs continued their relentless offensive attack, they could not find the net again. "Their keeper came up with some great saves to keep the score so low. Our offense was not without its share of chances," said Langione.
Amherst sustained its stellar defensive play and held on to win by the 1-0 count. Lockwood and senior Dan Glenn shared goaltending duties, and needed just three combined saves to record another Amherst shutout.
"We dominated the game but just couldn't seem to find the net more than once. Again our defense held strong and kept shots below five," said Madden. "In a frustrating game on the road, the best thing that can happen is you come out with a win, and that is what we did."
Amherst, which entered the weekend ranked eighth in New England, is sure to climb the polls this week. The Jeffs return to action when they play host to Springfield College today. The team will use the game to tune up for perhaps their biggest test of the season at Bowdoin College on Saturday.
Langione emphasized the importance of Saturday's showdown, "Bowdoin is perhaps the toughest opponent that we will face this season. It is a pivotal game for a number of reasons-rankings, NESCAC standings, but more than anything else, it's a chance for us to see how well we can play with our full lineup back from injury."