Saturday's Game

The men's soccer team demonstrated its high level of team unity and mental fortitude with its 3-1 win over NESCAC rival Bates College. Facing the Bobcats, whose last image of Amherst men's soccer was the Jeffs' celebration after a 1-0 victory in double overtime in the NESCAC Tournament, Amherst encountered a spirited Bates College team.

The Jeffs fell behind late in the first half, and entered the second half down one-nil. The men could have packed it in, deflated by the fact that their superior first-half play had somehow resulted in a deficit. Instead, the team came together and put forth a three-goal second half effort, earning the win and proving the Jeffs are among the elite teams in the conference.

Despite solid team play, the squad was unable to capitalize on opportunities in the first half. The Bobcats got on the scoreboard with an impressive shot from 25 feet out. Throughout the half, however, Amherst was in control and the score was not indicative of the control exerted by the Jeffs. "They scored on a pretty amazing shot. We had had the better play so it went against the run of things," said goalkeeper Jeff Grover '09. As Grover indicated, the men's squad was controlling the tempo of the game, leading in every statistical category at the time. It seemed that superior tactics alone would not decide this game. Instead Grover cited something much less tangible: character. "We decided as a collective unit we weren't going to lose," he said.

The Jeffs wasted no time closing the gap in the second half. Ten minutes into the frame, co-captain defender Robert Madden '07 scored the tying goal on an assist by midfielder Ryan O'Donnell '08. The goal was a result of a corner kick launched by forward Nicholas Lynch '09 that O'Donnell flicked and Madden headed into the back of the net. Madden credited O'Donnell and Lynch for creating the play that gave the men's squad new life.

Tying the game was an incredible relief for the men, who saw a new game before them. "Whenever you are down there is a sense of urgency," said Madden. "Tying it up is a weight off the shoulders, but then you see the win within reach. After the second [goal] the flood gates opened up."

The Jeffs used the momentum from Madden's goal to take the lead less than three minutes later. Senior co-captain forward Mike Wohl came off the bench after being sidelined due to a dislocated shoulder, and drilled the go-ahead goal. The score was assisted by forward Jacob Duker '09, who continues to be an impressive playmaker and scorer.

The win was sealed with a score by midfielder Matt Lewis '10, who was assisted by Lynch and O'Donnell. The impressive scoring spree was coupled with stifling defense. The Bobcats were unable to tally a single shot in the second half.

The men's soccer team received an incredible effort from every player that stepped on the pitch. William Warren '08 was particularly impressive, however. Entering the game after defender Rory O'Connor '09 was injured on a tackle, Warren proceed to complete the game in impressive fashion. "One thing is to come in as a sub, another is to come in and finish the game like he did," said Grover. "He played a perfect game."

In his 2006 season debut Wohl came of the bench because of his injury. This is different from in normal circumstances, since Wohl-who led the conference in goals and points last season-is usually a starter. "We have a lot of confidence in all our strikers. To have him come off the bench is a huge weapon because he is so fast," said Grover. "He was an extra spark off the bench. His speed catches you off guard."

In spite of all of the excellent individual performances, this was also an important game for the team. "This was a good character win for us," said Wohl. "Rebounding [after trailing in the first half] says a lot about the character of our team. Everyone who stepped on the field-sub or starter-gave it their all."

By overcoming the deficit and finishing the game with the authority that they did, the men's squad has good reason to feel confident about the rest of the season. The Jeffs' next match is today at non-conference opponent MIT.

NESCAC Notes

Amherst is in a three-way tie for first place with Bowdoin and Middlebury Colleges, who have matching 2-0 conference marks. Wesleyan University and Williams College are tied for second, each with 1-0 records.