The Lady Jeffs opened the 2013 season at home this weekend with a tough overtime 4-3 loss to the third-ranked Middlebury Panthers.

The first half was low scoring as solid attacks from both teams were stymied by each team’s goalies, Rachel Tannenbaum ’15 for the Jeffs and Emily Knapp for Middlebury. Tannenbaum had eight saves overall while Knapp totaled thirteen.

The scoring flurry began with just over ten minutes remaining in the first half. Middlebury’s Catherine Fowler netted a penalty shot, stemming from Tannenbaum’s sliding out of position, to give the Panthers the 1-0 lead.

Fowler added to this lead just seven minutes later. Forward Bridget Instrum had the assist as the Panthers took a 2-0 lead.
The Jeffs, however, would not let this score stand going into the half. A scoring drive stemmed from a great defensive play by Amherst’s Sarah Canning ’14 as she successfully stopped a Middlebury attack and gained possession for the Jeffs. Krista Zsitvay ’14 had the assist as Annika Nygren ’16 cut the deficit in half as the first half drew to a close.

The purple and white came out hungry in the second half; quickly knotting the game at 2. Madeline Tank ’15 scored her first goal of the game off a cross from Annie Turnbull ’16.

Middlebury would not let the score stand even for very long, taking the lead again three minutes later. Hannah Deoul scored off a cross from Fowler, the NESCAC player of the week, to give the Panthers the advantage.

In traditional back and forth style, the Jeffs answered immediately to even the score again. Tank netted her second goal of the day to push the score to 3-3, a score that would stand through regulation.

After an exciting initial 10 minutes to the second half, the remaining 25 proved to be unfruitful for either side and characterized by stellar defense, specifically Amherst’s Turnbull.

The match headed into sudden death overtime, with both teams striving to start their season with a win.

The Panthers controlled much of the overtime attack, sustaining play in Amherst’s half. Tannenbaum made a sensational save two minutes into OT, shutting down the multifaceted Middlebury offense and keeping the Jeffs alive.

Tannenbaum’s critical play came through again as she stopped the Middlebury attack after three consecutive corners.

Fowler, however, provided the final blow as she scored on a loose ball in front of the net, giving her a hat trick on the day.

Despite the final score, Coach Carol Knerr was very pleased with where her team started out this year.

“I was proud of the adjustments our team made in the second half which significantly made the momentum swing our way,” Knerr said. “We are an attacking team and we’re hungry to score.”

First year Mary Margaret Stoll echoed Knerr’s sentiment.

“Even though the outcome isn’t what we wanted, I was pleased with the way our team played together,” Stoll said. “We were composed when were down in the first half and didn’t give up until it was over. It was a very competitive game and I’m hoping we see Middlebury again later this season.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Lady Jeffs dropped a non-league contest to Mount Holyoke, 3-2, in overtime despite two goals from Katie Paolano ’16. Still, the team is looking to the future, which, by all accounts, is promising.

“We will work to improve each day, and we are determined to make this our best season yet,” Knerr said.