Although the Jumbos entered the game with an unimpressive 7-6-1 record, the spirited and surging Tufts squad forced Amherst into the most exciting match of the season. The fireworks started early, as the Jeffs team pressured the Jumbos' defense early. The pressure resulted in a corner kick by forward Jacob Duker '09, who launched a well-placed ball to the head of midfielder Matt Lewis '10 for the game's first score just 12 minutes into the competition. Jumbos Joey Stampone, Dan Jozwiak collaborated on a goal 25 minutes into the game when the former's free-kick escaped goalkeeperr Moe Zeidan '07. Continuing the Jeff attack, midfielder Nicholas "Bullet, Bullet" Lynch '09 launched a missile from 20 yards out just a minute after the equalizer. Senior co-captain forward Mike Wohl took advantage of the rebound and gave Amherst its second lead of the game. However, Jumbo Alex Bedig then kicked a shot high and hit the goal post. Zeidan quickly corralled the ball and prevented it from hitting the back of the net. Unfortunately, the referees ruled that the ball had crossed the goal line, and the game was tied for the second time.
Shortly after, Zeidan was forced to leave the game with an injury. With five minutes to go in the half, Jeff Grover '09 entered the game. Those who have followed the men's squad throughout the season know that both goalies provide an indistinguishable security blanket for the defense.
The game was extremely hard-fought for the first 45 minutes and forward Taylor Downs '08 even entered the halftime break with a bloody head. "In Taylor's first game back, he was a deranged animal of sorts, roaming around the field as though he was hunting for something," said midfielder Joe Addison '09. "He eventually got it in the form of a head wound."
The second half opened up with considerably less promise than the first. The Jeffs were caught napping and the Jumbos seized the opportunity to take their first lead of the game: a 3-2 edge. Several attempts to equalize were turned away in the subsequent minutes as senior co-captain midfielder Rob Madden's shot was turned away by a Jumbo defender. The Jeffs continued to press forward.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, and after failing to capitalize on several golden opportunities, many teams would panic. The Jeffs, knowing that they were outplaying the Jumbos, kept their composure and mounted a succesful attack with nine minutes on the clock. Lynch took a corner kick that Madden headed home to tie the game. The Jeffs had new life, and nearly ended the game in the final minute when Wohl's penetration and pass to Duker resulted in a fine opportunity that went high and wide.
The overtime session further proved that Amherst was the superior team. Midfielder Ryan O'Donnell '08 and Duker nearly ended the game at the start of the sudden death period. When all was said and done, the Jeffs outshot the Jumbos 20-9 through 110 minutes of play. The game came down to penalty kicks.
Addison, a key reserve, was called upon to take the first penalty kick for Amherst. Addison was unphased by the pressure and the immensity of the moment, and drove in Amherst's first goal. Shortly after, Duker found the back of the net for Amherst's second successful penalty kick. Midfielder Ian Lovett '07 made the third and decisive penalty kick as Grover denied the final three Jumbo attempts.
"You never really want the game to come down to PKs, especially when you've dominated, since it's almost like a crapshoot," said Grover. "But once the final whistle blows, as a goalie you have to get excited. This is your chance to really make an impact for the team, despite any mistakes or miscues during regulation." Grover's consecutive saves earned him NES-
CAC co-Player of the Week. With the win, the Jeffs advance to the NESCAC Final Four.
NESCAC Notes
Amherst plays Middlebury College in the semifinals of the NESCAC tournament. In the other half of the bracket, the sixth- seeded Bates College will look to upset top-seeded Williams College.