Last Wednesday's non-conference game against Springfield College was about as heartbreaking as a game can get. After falling behind 3-0 to the Pride, then ranked 11th in the nation, the Jeffs rallied to score two goals in the second half to pull them to within one. Amherst poured the pressure on Springfield, beating them to balls and controlling the play of the second half. Junior defender Lauren Benson led the charge by blasting a shot from the top of the circle on a penalty corner. First-year forward Haley Douds assisted on the first goal and scored the second-also on a penalty corner-with 2:32 left in the game.
However, despite two corner shots in the final minute of play and an overall feeling that they would have pulled it out had the game just been a few minutes longer, the Jeffs were unable to complete the comeback. The game ended with the Jeffs leading in shots and corners, but the Pride took the win.
Amherst's most recent heartbreaking loss came on Saturday, at the hands of Tufts University. The 1-0 decision played out similarly to Jeff's last three losses. "We've played our hearts out and done things as a team, but the outcome has yet to be in our favor," said co-captain defender Amy Watson '07. "We know that we deserve to be winning these games and that we're outplaying the other teams."
The trend is a frustrating one, but one not without positives. "If you look at the box scores after the games, we've out-shot the opponent and had more corner shots [in every game]," said Head Coach Carol Knerr. "We've definitely been dominating play."
Standout sophomore midfielder Alyssa Dudzik, who Watson claimed had "an amazing game," chose to look on the bright side. "I do feel fortunate that these losses are happening early in the season, instead of in the end," said Dudzik. "Though it's hard to see right now, I do think these losses will make us stronger individually and as a team, and I hope that we learn something from them."
Saturday's game was decided in the final 75 seconds; after struggling under the Jeffs' pressure all game, Jumbo forward Kathleen Martin was able to take advantage of a somewhat disorganized recovery defense on a breakaway to score the winning goal. As the score indicates, the defense played well for all but about 15 seconds. The loss left the Jeffs at 1-4, and 0-3 in the NESCAC.
The slow start may partly be explained by the overall youth of the team. Besides senior co-captains Watson and midfielder Rachel Carr-Harris, there are only four other upperclassmen, all juniors. Sophomores and first-years comprise the rest of the team. However, the younger players are, as Knerr said, "definitely contributing."
Despite the disappointing outcome, a number of players' performances stood out. Both Watson and Knerr had fantastic things to say about Dudzik. "Alyssa has been an impact player for us this season. She's a great athlete with exceptional skills," said Knerr. "We moved her to center-midfield this year, so she's right in the middle of the action."
Tierney Healey, a first-year defender, has been a nice addition to the team and also had a strong game on Saturday. "She has been playing sweeper and whenever Tufts was in our defensive circle, she got her stick onto the ball and sent it out quickly," said Watson "She prevented a lot of situations where Tufts would have had many more shots and opportunities to score."
The Jeffs seem confident that they are still in position to make the playoffs, but it is important that they dominate for the entire 70 minutes. "We're playing Mt. Holyoke [College] on Wednesday and I'm hoping we can play well for a full game and pull out a win," said Dudzik.
NESCAC Notes
Williams College continued to win on Saturday against Bowdoin College, the defending NESCAC champions. The Ephs, 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the league, have yet to be scored on.