In what was deemed the biggest weekend of the early season, Amherst was looking to repeat its two wins from the week before. The Jeffs embarked on a road trip that took them to Williams College on Friday and Middlebury College on Saturday. for a pair of key conference games. However, a win was not in the cards for the Jeffs as they fell to Williams 5-2 then held Middlebury to one goal in a 1-0 loss.
As history has shown, records might not be the best indications of the winner in an Amherst-Williams game. Amherst was 3-1 while Williams was 1-3. Nevertheless, Williams put the puck in the net more and was able to earn the victory.
In the first period, the teams were evenly matched for all but six seconds. That was all the time the Ephs needed on the power play to net their first goal. Williams added to its lead in the second period with a flurry of goals in a span of less than two minutes. The period ended with Williams on top 4-0.
Amherst took out its frustrations immediately after the puck dropped to start the final stanza. First-year defender Kirsten Dier and sophomore forward Tarasai Karega assisted on a goal by forward Michelle McGann '10 just 28 seconds in. Williams was able to notch another score midway through the third period. However, Amherst had the last word as first-year forward Kate Dennett tallied her fourth goal of the season. McGann and Karega had multiple-point games as they assisted on Dennett's goal.
"The Williams game was definitely disappointing, because we only let down on a few shifts but allowed them to score three quick goals," said Dennett. "Williams capitalized on their opportunities."
With such high expectations heading into the weekend, the 5-2 loss to the Ephs stung. "The Williams game was awful for us. We are a better skating team than them, but had a few key letdowns that they were able to capitalize on which made it really disappointing," said tri-captain forward Alena Harrison '07. "The nice thing about our league, though, is that we play every team twice, so we will get them next time!"
This determination was evident the following day at Middlebury. Even though the pressure of the Amherst-Williams rivalry had dissipated, one statistic should have left any Panther opponents shaking in their skates: Middlebury has won the last three Div. III National Championships. However, the Jeffs showed no trepidation. "Every last person on our team had a clear mind going into the game against Middlebury," said first-year goalie Krystyn Elek. "We knew we could win if we were focused."
With the way the Jeffs played, they almost scored an upset, but scoring was the one thing Amherst couldn't do against the vaunted Middlebury squad. While the Panthers kept the Jeffs off the scoreboard, Amherst nearly performed the same feat.
The defense, led by the rookie Elek, was flawless, save one power play goal at 10:27 of the first period. Amherst skated with the big dog the rest of the way, outshooting the three-time defending National Champions 28-23. "The puck just didn't bounce our way," Elek said. "Everyone played hard, and it was by far the best showing we've had this season."
Even though their best efforts didn't result in a win, the Jeffs learned they have what it takes to play top-notch hockey and compete with the nation's best. "We have a ton of games over Interterm," said Harrison. "After the style of play that we showed against Middlebury, I am confident that we have enough talent and skill to beat just about any team that we come up against."
NESCAC Notes
Every time Connecticut College has faced Williams in women's ice hockey, the Camels have lost. The 15-game streak began in 1998 and ended on Saturday. Conn. College held Williams to just two goals, coming away with a 2-2 tie; the Camels' rookie goalie had a mind-blowing 52 saves. Middlebury and Bowdoin College are the only NES-
CAC teams without a conference loss this season. Amherst, after two losses, is in fifth place.