The Amherst men’s soccer team kicked off the 2008 season with a strong 6-0 win against host Anna Maria College last Sunday. The nationally ninth-ranked Lord Jeffs will look to build on the win as they return to action against the defending NESCAC and NCAA champion Middlebury College on September 13.
By the fourth minute of the game on Sunday, the Jeffs already led the AMCATS 3-0. At 2:35, Ian Rothkopf ’11 secured the first goal of the season for Amherst, with assists from seniors Jake Duker and Nick Lynch. Duker and Lynch went on to head the stat sheet for the game, as Duker racked up two goals and Lynch tallied three assists. The pair also out-shot the entire AMCAT team 29-10. With such dominant play from the Jeffs, the team led 5-0 by halftime, having added goals by Ryan Conti ’11, two from Duker and another by Rothkopf. In the second half, the AMCATS tried to retaliate, but first-year goalkeeper Lennard Kovacs had six saves to earn a shutout in his collegiate debut.
Because of their strong play, the Jeffs were able to give their first-year players valuable game experience. All six first-years received playing time, with three—Kovacs, David Masterman and Henry Rouse—making the starting lineup. The first-year class made a good impression in the match, clearly meshing with the Jeffs’ veterans both on and off the field.
“Playing with this team is such a great feeling,” said James Mooney ’12. “I get along great with all the players and there really is a strong bond between all of us. We all look out for each other and play for each other, so it’s really a great feeling to be a part of that.”
“It’s a great atmosphere to play in,” added T.J. Kelley ’12. “The team is very motivated and dedicated, but still a fun group to be a part of.” Masterman took it a step further, calling the team a “brotherhood.”
Although they have been immersed in Amherst soccer for less than a month, the first-year class is well aware of the importance of the fast-approaching Middlebury game. The team’s new international additions, first-years Jae Heo and Kovacs, expressed strong feelings about the upcoming contest.
“The game this Saturday is definitely a chance for us to send a message to the entire nation,” said Heo. “If we play at our best without any careless mistakes, I believe we can win. As the number-one ranked team in the country, Middlebury will, for sure, be prepared to fight for the win, but we know that we are not traveling a few hours to their field just to earn a loss. This Saturday will be a difficult challenge for us, but also the time to prove ourselves.”
Kovacs echoed Heo’s sentiments. “These are the games you play soccer for,” he said. “We should be excited, not nervous.”
Despite the convincing win to open the season, the Jeffs will practice rigorously this week in preparation for the Panthers. No one knows this better than the returning players, who beat Middlebury in the regular season last year, only to be upset in the NESCAC finals.
“We have been waiting nine months to get back on the pitch and it felt great to get out there with the guys,” commented Conti. “However, we still have a lot to work on before this weekend to have a chance of upsetting Middlebury.”