"For some reason, we always play up to our potential against Williams," said sophomore forward Christa Porcaro.
Porcaro's statement proved accurate from the get-go. The Jeffs showed the Ephs that they were in for a dogfight early in the game at Williams' home field-59 seconds in, to be exact-as senior tri-captain forward Molly Gilbert scored an unassisted goal to give the 16th-ranked Ephs (12-3 overall and 8-2 NESCAC) a jolt. The Jeffs only managed to hang on to the lead for five minutes before the Ephs struck back courtesy of a penalty corner goal by Jaye Gregory. Amherst was not giving in just yet. Gilbert put the Jeffs back on top off an assist from Porcaro just moments later. It was Gilbert's fourth goal of the season and Porcaro's fourth assist; the goal gave Gilbert the title of Jeff high scorer and Porcaro the most assists of the year.
"The Williams game is always a battle, and we really took it to them in the first half," said Gilbert.
Amherst maintained the lead for the rest of the opening period, keeping Williams on its heels. The Jeffs played high-energy, confident field hockey, staving off the Eph attack with composure and mustering some strong offensive drives of their own. The halftime break, however, had a galvanizing effect on the Williams team, who came out firing on all cylinders in the second frame. This period, it was the visitors who found themselves caught off-guard.
"Our first half was much better than the second," said Porcaro. "We knew we had nothing to lose and put it all out there."
Almost six minutes into the half,