The field hockey team started its 2007 campaign with a nail-biting win against the Trinity College Bantams by a 3-2 score in overtime. Junior defender Catherine Calvert uncorked the winning drive seven minutes into the extra frame. The Jeffs are 1-0 while the Bantams stand at 0-1.
It was a scorcher of a day with the temperature on the field reaching 127 degrees, accompanied by stifling humidity-a fitting start for the Jeffs' competitive NESCAC schedule. Alternating possessions and terse runs at the goal out of the midfield characterized the first five minutes of the game, with neither team in clear control. But the Bantams struck first within seven minutes of the opening whistle. A fluke pass snaked through the Jeffs' defense to the stick of a Trinity forward and beat senior tri-captain goalie Kathleen Boucher in a one-on-one situation.
Six minutes later, the Jeffs struck back on a penalty corner. Sophomore forward Haley Douds inserted the ball, and senior midfielder Sarah Tracy stopped it for junior midfielder Alyssa Dudzik. Dudzik sent a rocket past the Trinity keeper for Amherst's first goal of the season.
The Jeffs took command of the game, and were led largely by the play of Dudzik. Amherst picked up several opportunities on penalty corners. Despite going only one for nine on said opportunities, most of their chances were near misses or spectacular defensive stops by the Bantams' defense and keeper.
The Jeffs continued to control the ball for the remainder of the half, effectively working the space and speed that the new turf field provides. "With the new turf, we've worked on creating and using space effectively, but we still need to work on organizing and attacking around the circle," said Tracy.
Indeed, by the game's end, the Jeffs rattled off 11 shots, three of which were only inches from the cage. The Jeffs' control of the ball paid off again with 10:51 remaining in the half. The Amherst defense sent the ball into the circle from the right side; Dudzik collected the pass and found sophomore forward Molly Malloy cutting toward the cage. Malloy pulled the ball to her backhand, and flipped it over the outstretched pad of the Trinity goalie to give Amherst a 2-1 lead.
After 35 minutes of play in the grueling heat, the squads took a much-needed break. Encouraged by their lead, the Jeffs came out roaring to start the second half. Douds and sophomore forward Christina Hopkins each had quality scoring chances, both of which were turned away by the Trinity keeper, who by game's end recorded eight saves.
Despite the Jeffs' solid control of possession, the Bantams managed several fast-break opportunities. They were stifled, however, by the cornerstones of the Jeff defense: senior tri-captain Lauren Benson and sophomore Tierney Healey. Healey made an enormous defensive save with 15 minutes left in regulation to keep the score at 2-1 in favor of the Jeffs. "We didn't allow a lot of corners and did a good job of avoiding penalties in our circle," said Boucher.
With less than four minutes remaining on the clock the Bantams finally capitalized on a counterstrike, tying the match at 2-2. In the final two minutes of regulation, the Jeffs had a chance to seal the deal with a shot from eight yards out but the Trinity defense would not permit it. Time ran out, and the squads regrouped for overtime.
Trinity started off the extra frame with two quick assaults on the Amherst cage, the first turned away by Boucher and the second crushed by Healey. Acknowledging the midfield's fatigue, the Amherst defense cleared the ball beautifully, initiating the offense from behind the midline and creating chances.
After nearly seven minutes of 7v7 action, Amherst capitalized on one of those chances. Calvert gained possesion of the ball just inside the circle, and unloaded a massive backhand drive that found the corner of the cage.
"We played with confidence. Even in the heat we didn't allow Trinity to surge, which comes from an understanding of the importance of possession and control," said Head Coach Carol Knerr. "That, and our defense played great, they didn't fold up when Trinity scored that tying goal with three minutes left."
The Jeffs were scheduled to visit Smith College yesterday, but the rain made the Pioneers' grass field unplayable. Today the Jeffs will make the trek down Route 9 for their first non-conference game. The road trip will continue on Saturday against Bates College.