In another defeat to an out-of-conference opponent, and a consequent win over a NESCAC rival, the women’s soccer found itself in familiar territory this week: inconsistency. After a 2-1 double-overtime loss to Keene State, the Jeffs defeated Little Three rival Wesleyan 2-0 on the road. The Jeffs now stand at 6-5-2 overall with a 5-1-2 NESCAC record.

The loss to Keene State last Wednesday puts the Jeffs at 1-4-0 for out-of-conference games. Amherst took the lead early on, as the Jeffs lit the scoreboard just 3:09 into the game. After Kathryn Nathan ’13 caused a turnover in the Keene goal box, first-year Amanda Brisco put a shot past the diving Keene goalkeeper into the far corner of the net. Goalkeeper Allie Horwitz ’12 prevented the Owls from tying it up in the 18th minute, stopping the ball mere inches from the goal line.

Both the Jeffs and the Owls had scoring opportunities within the first three minutes of the second half. A Keene defender cleared Nathan’s attempt and the Owls’ Katie Bradford launched a shot over the crossbar. Horwitz had another two close saves to keep the Jeffs in the lead.

Keene captain Nora Mahoney took a shot from 25 yards out in the 56th minute, but Horwitz back-pedaled just in time to knock the ball over the crossbar for another save. Mahoney had another chance with a break in from the weak side two minutes later, but Horwitz again thwarted her, this time preventing her from shooting.

Keene State scored their equalizing goal with 10:43 left to play when Bradford put in a long shot from 40 yards out. Mahoney almost put the Owls in the lead in the 84th minute, but was once again thwarted by Horwitz.

The first overtime remained scoreless, but Keene State took the victory with 3:31 left in the second overtime. Horwitz blocked an initial long shot, but Bradford pushed the rebound in for the win.

After the trying loss, the Jeffs traveled to Wesleyan on Saturday and took the coveted Little Three title with a 2-0 win. In the eighth minute, the Jeffs capitalized on their first corner kick. Senior Maureen Griffin sent the ball to Jill Kochanek ’12 at the far post. The Cardinal goalkeeper blocked Kochanek’s header but Brisco pounced on the rebound and put the ball in the net with a pair of shots.

Brisco put a second goal on the board eight minutes after that. After blasting through Wesleyan’s defense, she beat the goalkeeper in a foot race and flicked the ball into the lower right corner. Wesleyan’s first scoring chance was denied by Horwitz with 17 minutes to play in the first half when she tipped a long free kick over the crossbar. She ended the shutout with five saves. For her efforts, Brisco’s combined three goals from the two games earned her the title of NESCAC Player of the Week.

The Jeffs’ final home game is against Trinity College Friday at 3 p.m. The team has secured at least the second-place position in NESCAC standings, and can only be challenged for the top spot if Tufts can win their next two games.