On the dreary Oct. 3 Saturday afternoon, the women’s soccer team did not lack any enthusiasm or intensity as it prepared hit the field against archrival Williams College. Decked in uncharacteristic white, with purple numbers, the women were not going to let the chilled mist descending from the skies get them down as they carried a recent victory with them. Just three days prior to this much anticipated match, Amherst women’s soccer managed a monumental win, dominating Johnson & Wales University (JWU), 7-1.
Wednesday’s match against the JWU Wildcats, located on Gooding Field, was certainly a one-way game, as the Lord Jeffs scored five consecutive goals in the first half without a single foul or point made by the other side. Senior tri-captain Meg Murphy led the scoring spree with a cross, which was then headed into the goal by starting first-year forward Hannah Cooper. Less than 10 minutes later Murphy was once again celebrating another goal — the second in twenty minutes. Murphy’s third goal was made with an assist by first-year Jackie Hirsch.
Junior Kyla Woodhouse added to those goals with another, and Cooper finished off the first half with the fifth goal. An equally incredible second half was led off by a goal made by first-year Kathryn Nathan. And finally, first-year Drew Douglas-Steele scored her first official season point and the last of the game. Coming off such a win, it was hard not to be confident against the Ephs.
And so the Lord Jeffs were ready to once more show what they had to offer. To the cheers of “Go White!” and “Make it rain ‘herst,” the women ran out onto the slick grass field to face Williams. The excitement was visible as both teams produced a significant turnout of fans determined to cheer the opposing team into submission.
It was Cooper’s first game against Williams. “I was new to the rivalry and the team put effort into playing up the game. [But] I was nervous for the Williams game, I knew they were good, and Amherst was more than excited,” she said.
No one can claim they did not put forth the effort. Within the first minute of the game, white jerseys had already sprinted their way past Williams’ line of defense and made an admirable shot on goal. However, the Williams team was no less determined. Both sides brought intensity in spite of the difficulties posed by the rain. Sophomore goalie Allie Horwitz made two impressive saves about 15 minutes into the game that kept the score equal.
The soggy grass made for an interesting and mildly dangerous field as both teams found it difficult to maintain balance. They also couldn’t seem to help but take an opposing team member on their way down, racking up several fouls, including a yellow card issued to a Williams player following the excessive slide tackle of Cooper. Amherst held its own until about 30 minutes into the first half when Williams was able to score its first goal of the game.
Significant events of a very well-played first half included a header made in an attempted shot on goal by Murphy. A nearly perfect shot made into the top left corner of the goal by Livia Rizzo ’12 and finally the impressive foot work of Cooper. The women fought hard, but the undefeated Ephs prevailed. The second shot made on the Lord Jeffs occurred five minutes into the second half. Despite some tense moments in the goalie box, the Lord Jeffs never made a goal. The team successfully defended Williams for the next 36 minutes, but five minutes before the final whistle Williams scored once again to bring the score to 3-0. The Jeffs now have a week to prepare for their next game against NESCAC rival Middlebury College.