The team was thrilled to have All-American Harmeling-Amherst's single-season record-holder in points and goals-back and healthy after missing the first three games of the season due to a foot injury. Her return is great news for Head Coach Jen Hughes and the rest of the Jeffs, but bad news for the NESCAC, which she victimized with 19 goals in 2003.
Led by Harmeling, the Jeffs came back from a 1-0 deficit to knot the score in the 67th minute on Saturday, and then kept up their defensive strength through double overtime to preserve the 1-1 tie. The stalemate maintained Amherst's undefeated record, 2-0-2 overall and 1-0-1 in conference play.
The first half of Saturday's game left the nets untouched, and both teams went in after the 45th minute with big zeroes on the scoreboard. The Jumbos came out of halftime rejuvenated and began attacking as soon as the whistle blew. The Jumbos struck first in the 53rd minute when Tufts midfielder Jen Baldwin put the Jumbos up 1-0 off a deft through-pass from forward Becky Greenstein.
With their backs against the wall, the Jeffs renewed their determination and began playing more vigorously.
Their efforts came to fruition when Harmeling announced her comeback in style in the 68th minute. The forward rocketed a close-range shot past Tufts goalkeeper Meg McCourt into the top right corner of the net.
After the goal, the game came to a defensive standstill. The defensive struggle continued through double overtime, finally ending in a 1-1 tie.
"We were pleased with the effort but not the outcome," said senior tri-captain midfielder Leslie Curren. "We definitely did not play up to our potential."
However, the tie did not diminish the team's enthusiasm about Harmeling's return. "We are very glad to have Ashley [Harmeling] back," said senior forward Lee-Jay Henry. "She is an amazing soccer player and is an excellent leader. We need her."
Just days earlier on Sept. 23, Amherst hosted Springfield College. The Jeffs outplayed Springfield in a 1-0 shutout. The lone goal came off the leg of sophomore Lesley Pruzansky. It was her first of the season. Junior goalie Scout Durwood started for sophomore Piper Crowell. Durwood did not disappoint, notching three saves in her first career shutout.
Although they only capitalized once, Amherst's offense created numerous scoring opportunities. The first half was dominated by the speed and quickness of Amherst's midfielders, but the Jeffs' forwards failed to put the finishing touch on any of their feeds. The offense finally got a chance to celebrate in the 67th minute when Pruzansky elevated a perfectly-placed shot over the outstretched arms of Springfield's goalie Christina Davis, who had nine saves for the Pride.
The Jeffs will have to improve their finishing skills to come away from this week with three more wins. "We had a lot of chances [in last week's games] and we didn't finish," said Curren.
Amherst faces two important tests this week as it squares off against second-ranked Wheaton College (Mass.) on Wednesday and NESCAC rival Bowdoin College on Saturday. In 2003, Amherst's deep run into the NCAA Tournament was halted by Wheaton in a 3-2 thriller in the New England Regional Finals. Both teams enter the matchup undefeated.
"We are very excited about it," said Curren. "It should be a good game."
Bowdoin, a team Amherst beat 3-1 as the underdog last year, will look to capitalize on home-field advantage to derail Amherst's undefeated 2004 season.