WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. Little Three rival Amherst (5-2,
3-2 NESCAC) had the offensive edge Saturday morning at Renzie Lamb
field to top the Ephs (2-4, 1-3 NESCAC) in a 1-0 victory. The
Lord Jeff's made the game winning goal in the first half and
tallied a 17-7 shot advantage in conjunction with a 10-2 penalty
corner lead for the 70 minute competition. Senior captain Katrina Tulla
(New Canaan, Conn.) had a lucrative game in the cage acquiring 8
saves to the Jeff's single save by sophomore goalie Sarah Wise
(Akron, OH).
Amherst hit the ground running with the beginning of the first
controlling offensive possession of the ball and getting numerous
opportunities in the circle. Nine minutes into the
competition, the Ephs made a break for their opponent's goal.
Eph junior Meera Sivalingam
(Philadelphia, Penn.) sent the ball on target, but Carly Dudzik of
Amherst momentarily stepped in the cage for Wise making the
solitary defensive save for the day.
9:18 into the first frame, Amherst clinched the win with the
game winning goal making good on a penalty corner opportunity.
Lord Jeff senior captain Carly Leahy found the back of the
net off a rebound from Tulla's save from a shot on goal by Sarah
McCarrick. Sparking the Jeff's offensive momentum for the
remainder of the first frame, Dudzik had three consecutive shots,
none of which found their way past the William's defensive
line. The Lord Jeffs had a 9-2 shot advantage and 5-0 penalty
corner edge for the first period.
With the opening of the second frame, Eph defense primarily
resided in the circle protecting the goal against a smattering of
Amherst penalty corners and shot attempts. As the minutes
diminished, the William's offensive line was spurred into action
responding to Amherst's consistent offensive intensity. At
eleven minutes Eph junior Helena Nannes
(Bethesda, MD) guided the ball past the Lords Jeff defense
fast-breaking towards goal but the Jeffs recovered before a shot
could be taken. With four minutes remaining Sivalingam had an
open look on Williams' second penalty corner of the half, but Wise
stopped the ball thwarting the Ephs attempt to tie up the
match.
Despite the Ephs renewed offensive effort, it wasn't enough to
overcome their Little Three counterparts: at the final
buzzer, the Jeffs clinched the victory with their 1-0 lead.
Amherst finished the half with 8 shots to the Ephs' 5, and a 5-2
penalty corner lead.
Tulla and Wise spent the full 70 minutes in the
cage. Wise had 1 save, while Tulla tallied 8 saves and
1 goal allowed.
In spite of the outcome, many Ephs contributed strong
performances towards the overall team effort. Amy McLaughlin
(Topsfield, Mass.) distributed the ball well throughout the game
and freshmen Eph Emily
Jablonski (Madison, Conn.) came off the bench making smart
decisions. Nannes also gave the Ephs numerous offensive
opportunities throughout the competition.
"Even though we started out nervous, we really picked up in the
second and had them on their heels. Keeping Amherst to only
one goal reflected our defensive intensity. Tomorrow we have
a chance to learn from today and put forth two consistent periods,"
commented Coach Alix Barrale on the competition.
The Ephs will play again tomorrow at Trinity at 1PM.
