Early in the game against Endicott, Amherst started creating many early chances. The team played the ball out wide to its wingers before sending crosses into scoring territory. Midfielder Natalie Ferraiolo '09 had a few opportunities that looked as if they would convert into scores.
Against Endicott, Amherst displayed tremendous offensive pressure, and defensively gave their opponent few opportunities. Twenty minutes into the game, Ferraiolo played the ball to senior forward Amy Armstrong who blasted a shot that just went wide of the goal. Armstrong then set up first-year midfielder Meg Murphy for a shot coming free from a breakaway on the left side. Unfortunately, the keeper came up with a huge block and Murphy's shot was deflected over the cross-bar. For the remainder of the first half Amherst dominated the control of the ball, but couldn't find the back of the net as the Endicott goalie stopped many promising chances.
In the second half, Amherst did not lift the pressure from the Endicott defense. First-year midfielder Mary Marvel hit a long ball into the offensive third where Murphy challenged the defense for the ball in the air. The ball fell straight to the feet of senior midfielder Jenny Muller who took a shot from 25 yards out; perfectly chipped over the Endicott keeper.
The Amherst defense was able to prevent any of the Gulls' shot from touching net. In goal, senior co-captain Piper Crowell picked up another shutout, collecting four saves on the game.
On Sunday, in the Elite Eight, Amherst played through a grueling double overtime which ended scoreless, bringing the match to penalty kicks. In the seventh minute of play, the Jeffs made their way through TCNJ's defense and earned a corner kick. In the play off the corner kick, it took a save from the Lyons' keeper to prevent a goal. A minute later sophomore defender Alanna Darling hit a free kick long which Muller headed into the net. Unfortunately, Muller was called offside and the goal was disallowed.
The next 25 minutes was a back-and-forth battle with scoring opportunities coming up for each side. In the waning minutes of the half, TCNJ sent a dangerous cornerkick in front of the Amherst goal, which Crowell punched away to safety. The half ended in a scoreless tie.
In the second hlaf, TCNJ took three corner kicks. With just minutes in regulation time left, TCNJ kept the pressure high, but Crowell was able to deflect a lofted cross over the goal. Ninty minutes finished scoreless, and the teams headed into overtime.
In overtime, the Lyons took control of the ball for the early minutes, but Amherst fought back with some incisive pushes up field. Neither team had any serious looks on goal or scoring opportunities, though, and the game moved into a second sudden death overtime period. The second overtime was much the same and with neither team finding the back of the net, the match was determined by penalty kicks.
TCNJ converted their first three shots, while Amherst came up short. The Lyons advanced, 3-0 on penalty kicks, to the NCAA semifinals. Assistant coach Lyn Wojcik '05 said, "I'm so proud of the team and I am excited about the opportunity [we had] to play [last] weekend."
Despite the defeat, the talent present in the Jeffs' squad this year was undeniable, as they finished the season with a 15-2-2 record. Three seniors were selected to play in the NEWISA Senior Game at Merrimack College, including Armstrong, Crowell, and co-captain defender Liz Foley '07. Crowell and Armstrong were also named to the D3Kicks.com All-New England First Team. Murphy was the only first-year to be named to any of the All-New England squads and received second-team plaudits for her impressive rookie campaign.