In 2005, the Jeffs drew the second seed in the NESCAC Tournament, earning the right to host seventh-seeded Colby in the first round. After both squads failed to score in regulation and two overtime periods, the White Mules kicked their way into the semifinals with a 4-3 penalty shot advantage. The memory of a season cut short was on the Jeffs' minds as they took to the field for a rematch on Saturday. "Leading up to the game we tried to use the resentment of [their] ending our season last year to motivate us and make the game about pride," said tri-captain goalie Piper Crowell '07. "We also had a lot of alums come up for the game and we really wanted to win it for them."
So they did. Midfielder Meg Murphy '09 scored off an assist from forward Katie Coffey '08 to put the Jeffs on the board six minutes into the game, and Amherst held on for the win. "Scoring the goal felt awesome," said Murphy. "At the time, I didn't think it was going to be the only goal of the game."
Crowell and the Amherst defense made sure it was the only goal. The goalie had five saves, including one on a point-blank shot early in the second half, for the defense's fourth shutout of the season. Meanwhile, Coffey's assist, her 14th point of the season, put her in a tie with forward Amy Armstrong '07 for the most points on the team. Murphy's goal gave her 10 points, good for third on the team.
Even though the usual suspects played well for Amherst, and the team got its revenge, the Jeffs felt like they could have played better. "Our second-half performance was a little weak," said Armstrong. "We're glad to sneak by with the win but we let Colby have too many opportunities to score."
This unwillingness to be satisfied with just a win is a sign of a good team that won't rest until it is the best. Amherst showed why it is one of the best teams in the conference with a double overtime victory over Middlebury College two weeks ago.
Murphy also had the first goal in this contest, scoring off a pass from midfielder Mary Marvel '09 to put the Jeffs on the board at 17:12. Middlebury played catch up, and managed to tie the score. Amherst answered right back though, as tri-captain midfielder Lesley Pruzansky '06 set up Armstrong for the score. The three goals all came in a 10-minute span.
In the second half, Amherst showered the Panthers with 12 shots on goal, but couldn't extend their lead. In the 62nd minute, Middlebury snuck in a shot to tie the game for the second time. The clock ran out, and the Jeffs and Panthers played two overtime periods. Coffey saved the day, netting the game-winner off an assist from Armstrong.
The Jeffs will look to uphold their perfect conference record in the home stretch of their season. "Being undefeated in NESCAC is awesome," said Murphy. "With the regular season almost over and being at the top of NESCAC, the team is just really excited."
There are certainly a lot of things to be excited for, including the upcoming NESCAC Tournament, which could lead to an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Jeffs will try to control that excitement, and focus on the task at hand. "One thing we have focused on this season is getting up for every game and realizing that our biggest game is our next game," said Crowell. "We are just concentrating on winning the next one and hopefully we will continue to have games through November."
NESCAC Notes
The second place tie between Tufts University and Williams College and the fourth place tie between Middlebury and Bates Colleges will both be resolved this weekend as the teams go head-to-head.