Issue 1 for athletic events from September 11 - 14, 1997
Football Gears Up for Season Opener at Hamilton"We're ready for this [Hamilton] game to be here," anticpiated Head Coach E.J. Mills. "Pre-season, especially with a veteran squad, can be tedious. We can preach game-situations, but the kids know it's just a scrimmage. Now, it's showtime, and we will be ready to go."
Amherst kicked off the season with a 2-1 victory over the Corsairs. Senior co-captain Tim Christian (Agawam, MA) scored the Jeffs' opening goal with a header off a corner kick before UMass-Dartmouth evened the score just 19 seconds before the halftime whistle. But a breakaway by Matt Diggs (Seattle, WA) set up sophomore Andy Kay (North Easton, MA) for the game-winner off a one-on-one with the sweeper.
The Jeffs followed up the next day with payback for a 2-0 loss in St. Paul, Minnesota last year. Diggs sent a header into the net off a Devin Talbott (Washington, DC) feed just 1:51 into the contest, and Kay would follow up with an insurance goal 15 minutes later off a Mike Grant (Mendon, MA) cross. Christian closed out Amherst scoring with one of his classic headers in the second half on a Brian Angelini (Granada Hills, CA) corner kick.
All-New England fullback Ellie Hickerson (Davenport, IA) catalyzed the offense against Trinity as the defender tallied two assists and set up the third goal. Taking advantage of 10 corner kicks, the Jeffs capitalized on two opportunities with headers by Katie Hersey (Westford, MA) and Laura Kochansky (Newton, MA). Katie Connelly (East Granby, CT) netted her first goal of the season off an Erika Johnson (Newton, MA) feed as the Jeffs outshot the Bantams 29-11. Senior Beth Leonard (Longmeadow, MA) led the team with 7 shots on goal after a one-year hiatus from soccer.
The Jeffs opened the season with a 6-0 drubbing of Pioneer Valley rival Mount Holyoke. Gettleman tallied three goals against the Lyons, while rookie Gretchen Bowe (Hampstead, NH) posted a goal and an assist in her collegiate debut. Both contributed a goal against WPI, along with Risa Ravitz (Toms River, NJ).
Goalie Jes Rich (Stillwater, NY) has reclaimed her spot on the top of the NESCAC rankings as the junior pushes her career total to 16 shutouts. And while Rich has fought off three penalty corners through Saturday, opponsing keepers have faced 34 off Amherst sticks.
Game Notes: Amherst (0-0) at Hamilton (0-0)
September 20, 1997 at Steuben Field, Clinton, NY
Under the renewed direction of Head Coach Peter Gooding, Amherst men's soccer has two wins under their cleats and are on the verge of cracking the New England top-10 rankings. Receiving votes after defeating UMass-Dartmouth in their season opener, the Jeffs posted a 3-0 blanking of St. Thomas of Minnesota, then ranked No. 10 in the West/North Central region.
Men's Soccer Jumps Out to 2-0 Showing
No. Name G A P
4 Timothy Christian '98 2 0 4
11 Andrew Kay '00 2 0 4
7 Matthew Diggs '99 1 1 3
5 Brian Angelini '00E 0 2 2
9 Devin Talbott '98 0 1 1
12 Mike Grant '99 0 1 1
Amherst Totals 5 5 15
Opponent Totals 1 1 3
Goalkeeping W L T Min Svs GA Sv% GAA ShO
Kevin Larner '99 2 0 0 180 6 1 .857 0.50 1
Opponent Totals 0 2 2 180 11 5 .688 2.50 0
Current Record: 2-0
Last Week: UMass Dartmouth, W 2-1
St. Thomas, W 3-0
This Week: Tue Sept 16 at Brandeis
Sat Sept 20 at Connecticut College
Coming off its finest season ever, Amherst women's soccer is hoping to improve upon its 12-2-3 record in 1996 that concluded in the Final Four of the NCAA Championship. The Jeffs finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation but, idle until this past Saturday, fell as far as No. 6 in the NSCAA/Umbro poll last week. With a 1-0 record to date, Amherst has claimed the No. 4 spot in the nation as they maintain as the top-team in the Metro Region.
Women's Soccer Kicks off Season with No. 4 National Ranking
No. Name G A P
8/1 Katherine Connelly '00 1 0 2
14 Ellie Hickerson '98 0 2 2
15 Kathryn Hersey '99 1 0 2
18 Erika Johnson '98 0 1 1
27 Laura Kochansky '98 1 0 2
Amherst Totals 3 3 9
Opponent Totals 0 0 0
Goalkeeping W L T Min Svs GA Sv% GAA ShO
Sarah Fabian '98 1 0 0 90 7 0 .--- 0.00 1
Opponent Totals 0 1 0 90 13 3 .813 3.00 0
Current Record: 1-0
Last Week: Trinity, W 3-0
This Week: Wed Sept 17 at Smith
Sat Sept 20 at Connecticut College
It took them five games to reach the nine-goal mark last season, but Amherst field hockey is on an offensive tear in 1997. Sophomore Tyra Gettleman (Orono, ME) leads the team with four goals, one behind the NESCAC leader. The return of Heather Kestner (Wilmington, DE) also adds another potent force in an already formidible offense.
Field Hockey Tallies Nine Goals to Jump Start Season
No. Name G A P
2 Tyra Gettleman '00 4 0 8
3 Gretchen Bowe '01 2 1 5
12 Sandy Accordino '99 1 0 2
20 Kristen Osborn '01 1 0 2
25 Risa Ravitz '00 1 0 2
24 Heather Kestner '98 0 2 2
4 Irene Permut '99 0 1 1
22 Marnie Huffman-Green '99 0 1 1
Amherst Totals 9 5 23
Opponent Totals 0 0 0
Goalkeeping W L T Min Svs GA Sv% GAA ShO
Jes Rich '99 2 0 0 140 4 0 .--- 0.00 2
Amherst Totals 2 0 0 140 4 0 .000 0.00 2
Opponent Totals 0 2 0 140 27 9 .750 4.50 0
Current Record: 2-0
Last Week: at Mount Holyoke, W 6-0
at WPI, W 3-0
This Week: Tue Sept 16 Clark
Sat Sept 20 at Connecticut College
Amherst volleyball has been fierce at the net as the Firedogs post s 5-1 record so far this season. They opened their 1997 campaign with a 3-0 stroll over Keene State, whom Amherst disposed of 15-0, 15-2, 15-2 in less than 40 minutes. The Firedogs claimed four more 3-0 sweeps at the Williams Invitational, though they fell just short in a 3-2 loss to Middlebury.
Women's Volleyball 5-1 for Season
Current Record: 5-1
Last Week: Keene State, W 3-0
at Williams Invitational
UNew England, W 3-0
Colby, W 3-0
Middlebury, L 2-3
Mount Holyoke, W 3-0
Rhode Island College, W 3-0
This Week: Sat Sept 20 at Williams Quad
Amherst breezed to a 9-0 win at Trinity as the Jeffs enter the season as the No. 7 ranked team in the nation. Pam Diamond (Trumbull, CT), Neely Steinberg (Concord, MA), Jamie Cohen (Rye, NY) and Sally Childs (Rye, NY) wound up their matches with 6-0 victories in the second set, as Sam Toerge (Potomac, MD) and Patti Jo (Greensburg, PA) emerged with three-set wins.
Women's Tennis Blanks Trinity
Current Record: 1-0
Last Week: at Trinity, W 9-0
This Week: Wed Sept 17 at UMass
Sat Sept 20 at Skidmore