The Amherst women’s lacrosse team improved to 12-0 overall and 8-0 in the NESCAC with three victories over Conn. College, 17th-ranked Tufts and Skidmore, respectively. With these wins, the team’s unbeaten record now is the longest unbeaten streak in team history.

On Saturday, April 12, the Jeffs took on the Jumbos for their Senior Day matchup.

“Our seniors are leading the way on all fronts, and I am just trying to stay out of the way and guide this determined and talented team in the right direction each game,” head coach Chris Paradis said.

Amherst got on the board early thanks to a goal off of the opening draw from Krista Zsitvay ’14. Rachel Passarelli ’16 quickly extended the lead, burying her 22nd tally, a team-high, off of a Mia Haughton ’16 pass. The Jumbos were quick to retaliate, however, keeping the game close for the majority of the first half. Both sides traded goals to reach 5-5, featuring another goal from Zsitvay when she took advantage of a man-up situation.

The deadlock did not last long, as the Jeffs pulled ahead for good in the closing minutes of the second half. Amherst dominated draw control wins 18-8, and Zsitvay helped the team capitalize offensively as she recorded five goals on the day. To close out the first half, Kerry Fusco ’15 extended the lead after making a long run up the right side line to put on past the Jumbos’ goalie.
Amherst opened the floodgates with the scoring in the second half. Additional tallies included a fifth Zsitvay goal, three goals from Alex Philie ’14, two goals from Meghan Mills ’15 and one goal from Sarah Spector ’15. Christy Forrest ’16 helped the Jeffs to victory with seven saves on the day.

On Tuesday, the Jeffs defeated Skidmore 12-4, where juniors Priscilla Tyler and Meghan Mills both scored three goals. The Jeffs will return to action this Thursday, taking on Springfield in a matchup postponed from earlier in the season. On Saturday, Amherst will face rival Williams on the Ephs’ turf at 1 p.m.

Regardless of the high stakes of these upcoming games — Amherst could potentially clinch home field advantage for the NESCAC tourney — Passarelli noted that the team “treats each game as the most important game of our season.”