By returning 17 players, nine of which were starters, from last year's team, the Jeffs have the potential to be quite good-even by Amherst's standards. "We're a really strong team. We have more depth than we've had in a long time," said midfielder Liz Wise '07. "We feel confident putting anyone on our team out on the field."
At the top of the depth chart are pre-season All-Americans defender Laura Brown '06 and attacker Alyssa Briody '07. Brown, a tri-captain, was named to the second team after collecting 37 ground balls in her 2005 campaign. A third team selection, Briody tallied 33 goals and 22 assists in a breakout sophomore season. The return of these stars should help Amherst maintain its reputation as one of the most formidable teams in the country.
But Brown and Briody can't carry the team by themselves, nor will they have to. Joining Briody on the attack are returning starters Dana Kuper '07 and tri-captain Scotty Hanley '06. Kuper notched 15 goals and 10 assists as a sophomore while Hanley will provide leadership and experience as she enters her fourth year as a standout player for the Jeffs. In an attempt to fill the void created by the graduation of Amherst legend Ashley Harmeling '05, attackers Caroline Shannon '07 and Maddie Hoeg '08 will step up this year. In her first year as a Jeff, Hoeg played the most of any member of the Class of 2008, appearing in all 16 games.
The 2005 midfield remains intact this season with the return of tri-captain Caitie Parker '06, Wise and Lauren Dudley '07. The trio posted 16, 14 and 16 goals, respectively, last season in addition to contributing on defense. Gretchen DeLuke '08 scored the crucial game-tying goal in the Jeff's NESCAC semifinal victory over Bowdoin College last year, and will look to make even more of an impact this season. Rejoining the midfield ranks is Margaret Chute '06, who studied abroad last spring.
Brown heads an experienced defensive squad, which consists mostly of juniors who return with a full year of playing time under their belts. Emery Sweeney '07 scooped up 32 ground balls last year while Rachel Lewis '07 forced 18 turnovers. Maggie Roth '07 was another key player on the 2005 team that caused 13.5 turnovers per game.
One might be inclined to say that the women's lacrosse team is pretty good, based on the number of returning players. However, the Jeffs are even better. Six first-years join the squad this season, with midfielder Mary Noonan '09 and attacker Amy Craig '09 likely seeing immediate playing time.
Perhaps the only question mark for the 2006 Jeffs is in the goaltending position. Sophomores Kathleen Boucher and Linda McEvoy will vie for time between the pipes after seeing equally-limited action last season. However, Boucher and McEvoy are up to the task, especially now that Brooke Diamond '03 has joined the already stellar coaching staff as the goalie coach. Diamond was an outstanding goaltender for Amherst when the team won the national title in 2003. "The two goalies have really stepped it up this year, and we have the advantage of having Brooke coach them," said Sweeney. The goaltending duo adds even more depth to an Amherst squad teeming with talent.
"I feel like we are able to rely on a larger group than just the starting lineup this year," said Paradis. "We are going to be able to utilize more people each game."
With talent in hand, the Jeffs will be able to concentrate on other issues such as the new boundary rule. In the past, "soft" boundaries lined the field, meaning that when an official determined a ball was out of play, the player closest to the ball got the chance to inbound the ball, even if that player was the last one to have possesion. This season, there will be "hard" boundaries-actual lines on the field-and when a team sends the ball over one of those lines it will be a turnover, just like in field hockey, basketball and soccer.
Paradis prepared the Jeffs for this switch last year by having Amherst's field lined, even though the boundary rule was not enforced. "Now that everyone's played [with the new rule] in the preseason, the overall consensus is that everyone likes it," Paradis said. "You have to be more skillful with throwing and passing."
The new rule seems to play to Amherst's strengths. "We have a lot of depth, and, especially with the new boundary rule, when other teams are tired we are going to have fresh legs and endurance," said Parker.
Amherst will need that endurance as it prepares for a slate of ever-improving conference teams. "We are looking forward to games against Williams and Middlebury [Colleges] and we had a couple of close matches with Bowdoin last year," said Wise. "The NESCAC gets stronger every year. This season seven out of eight NESCAC teams are in the top 20 nationally. The NESCAC is definitely the strongest conference."
Whatever comes their way, however, the Jeffs are confident they will succeed. "It's an exciting feeling because we are blending well," said Paradis. "We have a nice blend of experience and youthfulness. I feel really optimistic about this season."
On March 19, Amherst will take on Union College in Wellington, Fla. in an opportunity to show just how good the Jeffs really are.
NESCAC Notes
If there is one thing as constant as the Jeffs' talent, it is Amherst's rivalry with Middlebury. The Panthers have won all of the five NESCAC Championships that have ever been held, defeating the Jeffs in each title game. Bowdoin is also becoming a NESCAC powerhouse, and handed Amherst a rare home defeat last season.