The first half of play gave no indication of the final outcome of the game. Despite outshooting the Panthers, 9-4, and taking four more corner kicks, the Jeffs were unable to take the lead. Eight minutes into the contest, a goal kick by goalie Jeff Grover '09, headed by midfielder Taylor Downs '08 to co-captain forward Mike Wohl '07 gave Amherst the first of several opportunities that were unable to be converted. Forward Nick Lynch '09 took two solid shots on goal, one in the 12th minute and another in the 21st off a feed from co-captain defender Rob Madden '07, but again the shots were unsuccessful.
For whatever the first half lacked in scoring, it made up for it in the physicality of the game. Middlebury, fighting to prolong its season, played their customary physically imposing style. "We let Middlebury dictate the way the game was going to be play," said midfielder Ryan O'Donnell '08. "They are notorious for being a big strong team. We tried to bang and run with them instead of trying to attack and defend like we wanted."
The first half ended in a deadlock, coupling the Jeffs' slight edge in ball control, with the Panthers' physical style running the course of the game.
The second half saw the two teams attempt to generate more offense. O'Donnell launched an attempt just wide of the goal six minutes into the second half. The Panthers' began to increase the pressure on the Jeffs' knowing, that they were playing for the season. Despite recording an impressive six saves throughout the contest, Grover and a defense that allowed only eight shots were unable to stop Middlebury's goal in the 81st minute of the game. The goal came when there was a lose ball in the Jeffs' box. An attempt to clear the ball from danger proved unsuccessful and led to a score by Panther sophomore Casey Ftorek. After the goal, the Jeffs and the Panthers shifted their formation, with Jeffs sending another player forward, and the Panthers bunkering down to preserve the lead. The Jeffs mounted a furious attack that looked like it would provide the equalizer. Those final minutes saw Amherst generate more offense than they did throughout the majority of the game. Downs headed a shot towards the back of the net but the NESCAC co-Player of the Week, Panther Zach Toth, turned away the Jeffs' best and final shot. Wohl and O'Donnell each had one final shot, but neither was able to tie the game.
Despite not being able capture a win, Amherst found out that its season did not come to an end after the tough loss. The Jeffs earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, and will look to rebound from their loss to Middlebury. "We played hard, played physical but we didn't play smart," said O'Donnell. "It's a disappointment 'cause we played well all season … I'd hate to be a team to get Amherst in the first round [of NCAA's]. I think it doesn't matter who we are playing, when we are playing, or where we are playing, we are expecting to win."
Other Jeffs shared in the upset of the loss as well. "We were bollocks on Saturday, but we must move on," said midfielder Joe Addison '09. "After all, there is nothing better than playing in front of your mates on Homecoming."
Indeed, the temporary disappointment subsided when the Jeffs found out just how impressive a season the tournament committee felt Amherst has had. Amherst will host their first-round NCAA game against local rival Westfield State University. Despite a temporary bump on the road, the men's team is on the path they had set for themselves early this season: to play for the National Championship.
NESCAC Notes:
The NESCAC has proved to be one of the strongest conferences in the nation, as three teams were selected for the 57 team field. Williams College won the automatic bid by defeating Middlebury on Sunday. Wesleyan University, Middlebury and Amherst were all awarded at-large bids.