In the two weeks following the disappointing loss to NESCAC rival Williams College, the field hockey team has toppled each of its opponents to post a 4-0 record — the longest winning streak so far in the season. Currently, the Jeffs have an overall record of 9-3 (4-3 NESCAC), but they look to improve their impressive fall performance as the postseason approaches. The team, from the beginning of the much-anticipated season, has always had the talent and the skills to be an unstoppable force in the NESCAC. Perhaps re-energizing and refocusing their attitude towards the game were all that the Jeffs needed to dominate their competition.
“On Tuesday [after the loss to Williams], Head Coach Carol Knerr and the captains had everyone on the team share with our teammates the reasons why we play Amherst field hockey,” said junior forward Liz Schink. “In a very emotional and liberating meeting, we talked about the opportunity that we have been given this season, having such a strong team, and what a shame it would be to waste it.”
“During that meeting, and that whole week, many of us realized the extent to which every individual on the team passionately cares about the team,” Schink continued. “Ever since that meeting, that passion has shown through at practice. Our practices have been more focused and that focus has translated to our games. Throughout our four-game winning streak, we have looked like the team that we should be, a team determined to not let our season turn into a wasted opportunity.”
With renewed confidence, the Jeffs cruised past Babson College with a comfortable 5-3 victory less than a week after the Ephs match. Tri-captain forward Molly Malloy ’10 netted the first goal for Amherst off an assist from sophomore forward Chrissy Cantore. The Jeffs did not turn down the offensive pressure against the Beavers, with both Schink and midfielder Carly Dudzik ’12 scoring in the next 10 minutes. Although Babson snuck in a rebound just before the end of the first half, Schink played a pass from forward Kaitlyn McInnis ’13 to Amherst’s advantage to keep the Jeffs in the lead at 4-1. The Jeffs’ second-leading scorer — forward Katie McMahon ’13 —added another goal by knocking in a rebound of McInnis’. Despite scoring twice in the last three minutes of the match, the Beavers could not close the score gap and had to reconcile themselves to a defeat.
Amherst field hockey recorded a telling upset the following Saturday by defeating Middlebury College. Proving once again that rank is just a number, the 20th-ranked Jeffs beat the 10th-ranked Panthers 4-2. Thanks to a hat trick from the Jeffs’ top scorer and tri-captain forward Haley Douds ’10, Amherst moved up another spot in the NESCAC while Middlebury dropped in standings. Douds, taking the Panthers by surprise, scored a pair of goals within five minutes of the first half. McInnis tallied an unassisted goal to break the 2-2 stalemate in the score, and Douds closed the match by taking advantage of a penalty corner play. Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Vitale also helped the team remain focused on offense by providing nine saves throughout the match. With the win, the Jeffs posted the most goals that any team has scored against Middlebury this season and frustrated the Panthers’ hopes of extending their five-game win streak.
The next Wednesday, Oct. 14, Amherst’s offense plowed through Westfield State College to record a 6-0 victory. Not only did the Jeffs’ offensive play impress, so did their defense. Tri-captain Tierney Healey ’10 picked up her fifth defensive save of the season, which helped her claim the top spot in the NESCAC for defensive saves. Vitale also gave another stellar performance in the cage, making three saves to earn the shutout.
The Jeffs trounced NESCAC competitor Colby College 4-1 last Saturday to increase their winning streak to four games. Improving on last year’s 3-1 victory over the Mules, McMahon and Schink each netted a goal while Malloy drove two of her shots into the opponents’ net. The Mules’ lone goal of the match came from a penalty stroke.
Hoping to build upon their recent successes, the Jeffs will face yet another NESCAC competitor Wesleyan University this weekend.
“Our play has been much more consistent in the last few games,” noted Douds. “If we keep up this same level of play and come out eager to win against Wesleyan, we will dominate.”
The team’s sights, however, seem to be further ahead at the upcoming confrontation — and the last match of the regular season — with national powerhouse Trinity College. With an undefeated 7-0 conference and 11-0 overall record, Trinity is currently ranked No. 5 in the latest Kookaburra / National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association poll and also sits at the top of NESCAC rankings.
Douds, however, remains confident: “Every game is a tossup in the NESCAC. It really comes down to who wants it more. We are prepared to show up to every game and fight until the last minute.”
“We have been focusing on consistency in our play as we approach the end of the regular season,” said Coach Knerr on the Jeffs’ outlook on the upcoming postseason. “At this point we have secured a spot in the NESCAC tournament and we are fighting for a home first round game. We have an inspired group and they are focused and determined to improve each day and we are looking forward to the NESCAC tournament.”