The Jeffs defeated the Cardinals 2-0 in Saturday’s Homecoming NESCAC matchup.

Before the game, the team honored the six senior players who will graduate from the team at the end of this season: Chrissy Cantore, Stephanie Clegg, Carly Dudzik, Rachel Lupien, Sarah McCarrick and Casey Silver.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Jeffs went to work on their 10th win, which would secure hosting rights for their NESCAC quarterfinal game next weekend.

Co-captain Clegg commented that it took the team some time to strategize against the Cardinals: “We realized that we could not dribble through the team,” Clegg explained.

“Rather, we had to switch fields to beat them down the other sideline and then enter the attacking circle from the opposite side that the ball started on. After we recognized this, things started falling into place and we gained momentum.”

This momentum yielded the Jeffs’ first goal when they converted a penalty corner at the 14:33 mark. Dudzik received the ball at the top of the circle and delivered a sharp pass to Katie McMahon ’13, who one-timed it high into the back of the net.

Five minutes later, the Jeffs went on a fast break when sophomore Alex Philie sent a pass up the sideline to classmate Krista Zsitvay, who quickly bumped it to first-year Ellie Andersen.

Andersen went one-on-one with Wesleyan goalie Tori Redding and slipped the ball past her to register the Jeffs’ second and final goal of the game.

While the Cardinals held the advantage in shots and penalty corners, the Amherst defense bore down and delivered the team’s fifth shutout of the season. Rachel Tannenbaum ’15 contributed 13 saves on the day.

“Everyone stepped up and played their roles well today,” last week’s NESCAC Field Hockey Player of the Week McMahon noted. “We are really looking forward to ending our regular season on a high note and gaining some momentum going into the post-season.”

“We clinched a home game in the first round of the tournament, but we are focused on Wednesday’s game against Conn. College,” Dudzik added. “The NESCAC is so talented that every game is a battle, and we are ready for the challenges ahead.”

The Jeffs’ next game is against Conn. College on Wednesday night at home, before next weekend’s NESCAC championship series.