For the first time in the tournament's five-year history a seven seed upset a second seed. The Jeffs, ranked 21st in the nation at the time, fell to 9-2-4 with the unexpected defeat, snapping a six-game winning streak and a nine-game unbeaten streak.
"We were very disappointed with the loss. We beat them 2-0 in the regular season [just 10 days earlier]. It just wasn't in the cards for us," said senior forward Adrienne Showler.
The game-winning goal came on what many considered a missed call by the referees. After Camel Christa Thoeresz sent a pass toward the Amherst net, her teammate Lucy Strong and Amherst goalie Piper Crowell '07 both attacked the ball. Crowell dove for possession and appeared to have the ball in her grasp, but Strong knocked it away and scored a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the net. Despite Amherst's protests, the goal was allowed, and the Camels advanced to the NESCAC semifinals, where they will meet the top-seeded Middlebury College Panthers on Saturday.
The Jeffs had numerous opportunities to score. They outshot the Camels 21-9 overall and had a 15-3 shooting edge in the first half alone. Amherst tri-captain forward Ashley Harmeling '05 got off five shots and fellow forward Showler took three, but neither could get by Conn. goalie Paige Diamond.
Diamond, whose older sister Brooke Diamond '03 was a four-year starter at goalie at Amherst, was stellar. She frustrated Amherst's forwards and was the main reason Conn. came away with the win. Her counterpart, Crowell, finished with five saves.
The weekend began on a positive note, however, as women's soccer was the lone Amherst team to defeat Williams College in Saturday's games. Sophomore Jenny Muller won the game for the Jeffs with the game-winning goal in the 69th minute. The win clinched the Jeffs' sole possession of the Little Three title and earned them the number-two seed and hosting duties for the NESCAC Tournament.
Muller's tally marked her third goal of the season as she found the bottom-left corner of the net off of a deft feed from Showler. Crowell denied five Williams shots as she tallied her fourth shutout of the season.
"It was a hard-fought game," said junior defender Margaret Chute. "They were tough and really skilled but I think we showed that we were the better team. It was a huge feel-good win."
Despite the disappointing finish to the 2004 season, prospects look bright for 2005. The Jeffs lose many crucial members of the class of 2004, including Harmeling, Showler, Tracy Montigny and tri-captain Leslie Curren. Harmeling and Montigny constituted the Amherst scoring attack this season, scoring a combined 10 goals. Showler and Curren will also be huge losses, as they led the midfield and defense.
Harmeling accumulated gaudy career statistics during her three years with the Jeffs. Her career is highlighted by a historic junior season in which she shattered Amherst records in goals scored and points, while earning NSCAA All-American and the NESCAC Player of the Year honors.
"For me the hardest part about losing on Sunday was knowing that it was the last time I would play with the current seniors," said Chute. "Not only are they smart and dedicated players, but just great people to work with. They will be sorely missed both on and off the field."
The Jeffs should be able to replace most of the lost seniors. Goalie Crowell, who has been a veritable brick wall in net, will return for her junior season. Juniors Lyn Wojcik and Chute should anchor a very strong Amherst defense. Sophomores Muller and Leslie Pruzansky will return to the Amherst midfield and should fill in for Showler extremely well. The biggest question mark for next season will be finding a new scoring punch to replace Montigny and Harmeling. Amy Armstrong '07 filled in well for Harmeling early in the season when the senior was out with an injury and should continue to develop as a scoring threat.
Despite the disappointing and surprising loss at the hands of a hot Conn. team, the Jeffs showed skill and determination all season long. They overcame the adversity of losing Harmeling, their top scorer, in the beginning of the season and finished the regular season with an excellent record. This final experience should supply all the incentive the Jeffs need for an even more successful 2005 season.