Simply perfect. This week, at least. In two games, the women’s soccer team did not allow a goal en route to two wins to move them to 11-1- (7-1-1 NESCAC). After thrashing Keene State 5-0 on Wednesday, Amherst earned a hard-fought 1-0 overtime victory at Wesleyan.
The women’s soccer team has certainly had a very busy last couple of weeks. After dropping a game to Williams, the Jeffs rattled off three straight wins, defeating Eastern Connecticut State Univ., Colby and Bowdoin in decisive fashions.
The team had a dream start against the rival Ephs, scoring the first two goals or the game. The host Jeffs got on the board in the 38th minute when first-year sensation Megan Kim ’16 had her shot deflected by an Eph defender. Chloe McKenzie ’14 won the loose ball and netted the ensuing shot to give her team a 1-0 lead.
The women’s soccer team continued their winning ways this week, remaining undefeated with a 3-1 victory over Trinity and a 2-0 triumph over Tufts. Both were key NESCAC wins that earned the team top spot in the conference standings.
The Jeffs struggled in the early going against the Trinity Bantams in what will be their only Thursday game of the season. The Bantams had the better of the chances in the beginning stages of the contest, but solid goalkeeping from first-year goalkeeper Holly Burwick kept the Jeffs level.
In what could prove to be one of their toughest weekends of the season, the women’s soccer team emerged undefeated from a pair of hard-fought NESCAC bouts. The Jeffs beat Hamilton 2-0 at home on Saturday and drew 0-0 at Middlebury the following day.
The Amherst squad started the season in winning fashion this past week, with a season-opening, 9-0 thrashing of Mount Holyoke followed by a 2-0 victory at Bates to open NESCAC play.
In the opening game, the seventh-ranked Jeffs had little trouble dispatching the Lyons, scoring early and often in a dominant performance that showcased the team’s ability to play an all-around tight game. Chloe McKenzie ’14 set the tone for an impressive season by netting a hat trick, with her goals coming in the seventh, 24th and 64th minutes.
What a difference a year makes.
In 2010, the women’s soccer team struggled to an 8-7-2 record, finished middle of the table in the NESCAC and did not qualify for the NCAA tournament.
In 2011, the Lord Jeffs won the NESCAC with a perfect 17-0 season and made a deep run in the NCAA tournament, falling to eventual winner Messiah, 3-1, in the Sweet Sixteen.
One of the most successful seasons in men’s soccer history ended Nov. 19 in a tough 2-1 loss to the Stevens Institute of Technology in the NCAA Round of 16.
“I had such a great time coaching this team this season,” head caoch Justin Serpone said. “To go on a journey like that with such a special team is something I will cherish and remember for a long time.” Despite the loss, Serpone was proud of what his team achieved: “Winning our second NESCAC Championship and setting a program record for wins is an amazing accomplishment.”
