In its biggest weekend so far this season, Amherst’s national ranking jumped from seventh to fourth. The Jeffs turned in a stellar performance en route to a 2-2 tie with second-ranked Middlebury College on Friday before blanking Williams the next day.
While the Amherst-Williams rivalry has a well-documented history, beginning long before the two schools competed in women’s athletics, the animosity between the Jeffs and Panthers in women’s ice hockey was triggered approximately nine months ago and is arguably just as fierce. Ever since Amherst upset Middlebury in the NESCAC finals last year, fans and athletes alike eagerly anticipated the next meeting between two of the nation’s top teams. Three hundred fifty people packed Orr Rink to witness the rematch. Those expecting an excellent ice hockey game certainly got what they were looking for. Those hoping to leave with a clear idea of which is the better team will have to wait.
“I think both teams went into that game with the memory of our last meeting fresh on our minds,” said sophomore forward Molly Malloy. “There were a lot of expectations and a lot of attention being paid to the game.”
“Playing in the game against [Middlebury] was pretty unbelievable,” added senior co-captain forward Meg Quinn. “There was really great energy from the fans and from the bench, which helped to keep the intensity level up.”
The Jeffs killed off a Middlebury power play in the first period, and the rest of the stanza was fast-paced five-on-five ice hockey. Despite incredible efforts by both teams, the game was scoreless after one period.
Amherst was back on the penalty kill early in the second frame. The Jeffs survived the Panthers’ man-advantage opportunity, but less than a minute later Middlebury was able to find the back of the net. The Jeffs immediately responded, and a pair of Middlebury penalties gave Amherst a power play for almost four consecutive minutes. After wearing down the Panthers, the Jeffs tallied the equalizer 1:20 after the penalties expired. The Middlebury goalie coughed up a rebound on first-year forward Megan Curry’s shot. Malloy was right there and lifted the puck on the backhand into the top of the goal. One minute later the Jeffs took the lead on first-year forward Courtney Hanlon’s second goal of the season. The rest of the period was marked by chances for both teams, but the score remained 2-1 in favor of Amherst at the second intermission.
Middlebury came out with an agenda to start the third period and tied the score less than three minutes after the puck dropped. The teams combined for three penalties in the remaining minutes of regulation, with the Jeffs receiving two power play opportunities; however, neither side was able to convert. Both teams had some excellent scoring chances in the five-minute overtime session, but the goalies kept the final score at 2-2. Sophomore Krystyn Elek posted 29 saves for Amherst.
It seems only fitting that this highly anticipated game ended in a tie. Amherst and Middlebury are guaranteed to meet at least once more (on Feb. 16). “The game against Middlebury was fast-paced from beginning to end, and there is no question that [the Panthers] brought out our best, most competitive game as we brought out theirs,” said Curry. Amherst is looking forward to another great game in February, and with 17 other contests remaining on the regular season schedule, there is a lot more ice hockey to look forward to.
After earning the programs’ first and second victories against Williams—each in overtime—last year, the Jeffs extended their win streak over the Ephs to three games. “The complete domination of Williams was probably one of the best things ever,” gushed Quinn.
The game, however, did not look like a rout from the beginning. With the score still at 0-0 and the end of the first period drawing near, junior forward Tarasai Karega finally put Amherst on the board. After that, the Jeffs were determined to break the ice on what appeared to be another close match-up with Williams. “In the locker room after that first period, our team decided that we needed to send Williams home knowing that we play on a completely higher plane than they do,” said first-year goalie Caroline Hu, “and I believe that we showed that very well in the second and third periods.”
Quinn scored early in the second period to open the floodgates, and then Karega found the back of the net on the power play. Malloy scored for the second time in as many games to bring the score to 4-0. In the third frame, Hanlon extended her goal-scoring streak to three games. Additionally, the Jeffs handed out pucks to Curry and first-year forward Britt Evans, as they each tallied their first collegiate goals. Hu was perfect between the pipes, picking up 18 saves for her first career shutout.
Even after a big weekend, the Jeffs will not get a chance to rest. They face top-ranked and defending national champion SUNY-Plattsburgh on Friday. The Jeffs will have to travel to face the team that spoiled their bid for a national title last year, in what is sure to be an exciting match.