The Amherst women’s soccer team added two ties to its record this past week, moving it to 2-1-2 on the season and 2-0-1 in conference play. The Jeffs came from behind in both games to avoid two losses that would have inflicted serious damage on their NESCAC standing. As is, Amherst retains its number-three spot in the conference, behind Tufts University and archrival Williams College.
“We were upset about the two ties we had this week because we know that we are a better team than both Springfield and Bowdoin [Colleges],” said junior defender Kathy Nolan.
Despite beginning the match against the Springfield Pride with energy and intensity, the Jeffs were unable to tally a goal in the first half, and the game remained scoreless as the whistle blew for halftime. The second half saw a newly invigorated Springfield squad that matched the Jeffs all over the field. With under 15 minutes remaining in the game, the Pride got on the scoreboard, as a Springfield forward slid a shot past Amherst goalkeeper Lili Ferguson ’10.
Rather than succumbing to defeat, the Jeffs responded just minutes later with a goal of their own. Senior defender Mary Marvel headed in a corner kick from quad captain and fellow defender Kate Moriarty ’09, tying the match. Nevertheless, Amherst couldn’t muster the go-ahead goal, and the match ended in a disappointing 1-1 tie.
“Mary scored an amazing goal off a corner kick with a header into the upper 90,” said Nolan of Amherst’s lone goal. “We could not have asked for a prettier goal. We have so much height this year that we’ve really focused on scoring off corners and set plays and that practice has paid off.”
Saturday’s game against the Bowdoin Polar Bears featured a sluggish, unfocused Amherst squad that quickly found itself behind by two goals. The Jeffs were able to tie up the game before the halfway break with goals by sophomore midfielder Kyla Woodhouse and rookie midfielder Jess Wall.
“We came out really slowly and very flat,” said Woodhouse. “For about the first 15-20 minutes we were getting lit up by Bowdoin. We weren’t playing to feet, winning anything in the middle of the field, and we kept getting beat in the back by through passes. Once we figured things out (after going down 2-0) and settled down, started playing to feet, changing points of attack, it was a different game.”
Amherst continued to play well in the second half, and midfielder Meg Murphy ’10 ripped a shot into the back of the net to put the Jeffs ahead just seconds into the frame. As time was winding down, Amherst seemed to have the game under control and the win secured, but Bowdoin would not relent, scoring the final goal of the match to even the teams at three goals apiece as the final whistle blew.
“It was really frustrating to tie a team we should have beaten,” said Woodhouse. “It felt like we lost. We could have won both games if we had come out to play from the start. In both games we had a tough time getting into the match.”
Though the Jeffs didn’t get their desired results, they learned a lot in the two games and showed some excellent skill and mental toughness. Heading into practice this week, they know what they have to improve on.
“There were a lot of things we did well though, too,” noted Woodhouse. “Coming back from being down two goals was huge for us. We’ve been moving the ball well in spurts of the game.”