The 15th-ranked Amherst College field hockey team waged an impressive 4-0 victory on enemy turf over rival Williams this past weekend. The win improves the Jeffs’ record to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in NESCAC competition.

Coming into the rivalry with immediate control of the game, the Jeffs set a quick pace that both surprised and dismantled the home team’s defense. Within the first 10 minutes, first-year Shannon Tierney had netted her first goal of the season with an unobstructed zinger past Eph goalie Margaret Draper. Junior Sarah Culhane provided the assist, her second so far this season.

The momentum remained in favor of the purple and white for the remainder of the half, peaking with a second score at the 28-minute mark by senior captain Katie Paolano, the result of an opportune scramble following a penalty corner. This is the two-sport-athlete’s second goal for the Jeffs this fall, the first being a bullet to the back of the net in the season opener against Mount Holyoke.

Just two minutes into the second half, Amherst quickly diminished Williams’ morale with a goal by sophomore Caroline Fiore, making it a 3-0 score in favor of Amherst.

With 10 minutes left to play, senior Annie Turnbull finished off the Ephs with her first goal of the season, a clean shot to the lower left corner. At the ending horn the Jeffs had achieved a 4-0 victory, marking their sixth consecutive win over Williams and first win so far in NESCAC play this season.

In addition to the four goals scored, the Jeffs’ offensive end finished the match with 14 shots and nine penalty corners, solidly outnumbering the Ephs’ eight shots and four penalty corners. Equally strong on the defensive end, junior goalie Emily Horwitz and the rest of the Jeffs’ defense clinched their third shutout of the year. Fluidity between Amherst’s offense and defense was apparent in clean and dominant midfield transition play as well as in a new level of confidence from the players.

The Jeffs hope to continue the win streak with a match up on Tuesday, Sept. 29 against Castleton at 7 p.m. on Gooding field. On Saturday at noon, they will host Tufts, a team that is currently undefeated in NESCAC play.