Women
After running into their first loss this week, the women’s soccer team has endured two tumultuous games these past seven days. The team went up against strong opposition from Springfield College and Connecticut College, and came up with a loss and a draw.
The 16th-ranked Lord Jeffs took on the eighth-ranked Pride in a non-conference match at the Irv Schmid Sports Complex this past Wednesday. The Pride retained possession early in the game, firing a shot that ricocheted off the post just 34 seconds into the first half. With their relentless effort, Springfield eventually succeeded in their pursuit of a goal when, in the 11th minute, the ball made contact with the upper-right corner of the net. Two minutes later the Pride scored their second goal, giving the hosts a 2-0 advantage.
However, the Lord Jeffs did not let the early goals dampen their own scoring push. Amherst picked up their offensive pace and, with seven minutes remaining in the first half, sophomore Hannah Cooper steered the ball into the goal after a deflected attempt by first-year Elizabeth Ludlow. It was not enough, as the Pride scored an additional goal in the 76th minute of the game, furthering their lead and sealing the score.
Saturday’s home game against Connecticut saw many Amherst attempts, but few successful forays into the goal. Both teams exerted pressure and physicality, and there was even an early yellow card given in the first 10 minutes of play to a Camel forward. The referee also presented a second card in the first half when junior Jill Kochanek pulled down a Camel forward on a breakaway.
But the Lords Jeffs were determined to get their goal. Senior Jackie Hirsch launched a shot from 18 yards soon after the card, but it was quickly diverted by the Camel goalie.
In the second half, the team returned ready and, within 45 seconds, Ludlow had scored her first collegiate goal on an assist from fellow first-year Amanda Brisco.
The team held this 1-0 advantage until the 63rd minute, when a Camel defender made a goal to even the score. The game ended as a tie despite many attempts in overtime at the goal. This past week brought the Jeffs’ record to 3-1-2 (2-0-2 NESCAC). The team makes their way to the field once again on Wednesday in a home game against the Skidmore College. After that, Saturday marks the much-anticipated game against Williams.
Men
A weekend of wins yielded two consecutive shutouts for the men’s soccer team. Beginning against Connecticut College on Hitchcock Field Saturday afternoon, the team fought aggressively and brought their best to the field. Surrounded by cheering Amherst fans, the team left nothing behind on the field and had nothing to regret.
Although there were plenty of attempts at goals throughout the game, the deciding goals didn’t come until the very end. This made for tense and exciting final moments for those who held out until the very end.
Facing off against Connecticut College, the first opportunities for goals came about 20 minutes into the first half when a throw-in by senior captain Ian Rothkopf almost resulted in an own goal by a Camel player. Within moments of that event, senior Thebe Tsatsimpe made a forceful right-footed drive towards the goal.
Later, with 15 minutes remaining in the first half, first-year Julien Aoyama made a pass to sophomore Casey McNamara, who crossed the ball to the right corner of the goal. But the Camels’ goalie made the save.
The second half signaled a marked surge in the pace of the game, and the goals finally seemed to fall into place. Rothkopf was brought down in the box, and shortly thereafter the referee awarded a penalty kick to sophomore Spencer Noon, who scored the goal. Then, 13 minutes before the game’s conclusion, Noon scored his second goal of the afternoon.
Within 24 hours, the Lord Jeffs were once again asserting their ability on the field, as they went down to southeastern Mass. to face off against Bridgewater State. The Sunday afternoon game resulted in a 5-0 shutout in favor of the Jeffs. Amherst managed a 25-4 shot advantage against the Bears, who had previously held a record of 6-1-0. This additional win brings the Lord Jeffs to an overall record of 4-0-2, leaving them still unbeaten.
During Sunday’s game, five different players scored for the team: Rothkopf, junior James Mooney, Noon, first-year Andrew Bixler and sophomore Federico Sucre. Bixler’s goal was the first of his collegiate career, and Noon now leads the team with his five goals this season.
The Jeffs return to the field on Saturday, Oct. 2 against their biggest rival: Williams. Both of the teams are currently unbeaten, meaning it’s bound to be a showdown to look out for.