Amherst Women’s Soccer began the week with a Pioneer Valley match-up against the Mt. Holyoke Lyons. The Jeffs were winning handily, 6-0, with two goals each from Sarah Duffy ’14 and Chloe McKenzie ’14, when bad weather forced the game to be suspended before it became official. It has been rescheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at MHC.
The real action for the week, however, took place on Saturday as the team faced formidable NESCAC opponent Bowdoin College at home. Amherst and Bowdoin battled to a 0-0 tie in an exciting double-overtime match.
“We played well against Bowdoin and kept possession for a good amount of the game. The next step is for the team to work on putting the ball in the back of the net,” said sophomore Jessy Hale.
Both teams struggled offensively for much of the first half. Many shots for both sides went wide, over, or were saved by the goalies. Amherst didn’t get its first direct shot on goal until the 30-minute mark when Maya Jackson-Gibson ’15 blasted a shot on target.
Both sides came close to breaking the scoreless tie early in the second half. A shot by Bowdoin’s Audrey Phillips was saved by Jeffs goalie Holly Burwick ’16, and an Amherst corner by Hale ’16 created a header opportunity for Alex Hart ’15, but it went wide.
Phillips fired another shot on goal midway through the second half, again saved by Burwick, which sparked an offensive surge by the Jeffs. Amherst blasted three shots on goal within the next couple of minutes, but none found the back of the net.
Later, another corner by Hale led to an attempt by junior Emma Rothkopf and a Hale rebound, but the Bowdoin defense again stood firm and the teams ended regulation scoreless.
Bowdoin’s Abby Einwag nearly sent the Polar Bears home with the win in the first overtime. With less than 1:30 remaining, her shot from the 18 sailed over the crossbar and, moments later, she pushed another shot from the left side of the box just wide. In the second overtime, with just under two minutes left, Amherst pressed for the win when Hale sent a pass into the box, which Hart headed just wide. This would be the last offensive challenge from either team as the match ended in a scoreless tie.
Amherst co-Captain Sarah Abrahams ’14 said, “For our upcoming match, we will look to build upon that steadfast defense and possessive flair to strengthen our attack.”
Co-Captain Kate Sisk ’14 added, “Next game, we’ll be looking to continue our passing game against a fast team on a fast turf surface, with a focus on finishing.”
Coach Jennifer Hughes echoed similar thoughts.
“We’re struggling a little bit to get our offense going, but I’m confident that with our talent and experience up top, it will come. We have a ton of potential this year, and I’m hoping we get a little bit better and a little bit closer to reaching that potential against Springfield,” Coach Hughes said.
The Jeffs are now 1-0-1 for the season. Their next game is on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at Springfield College. They’ll head to Williamstown this Saturday to take on their archrivals at 2 p.m.
