This afternoon's 3-0 win by Amherst over Conn College in a NESCAC quarter-final featured both a virtuoso and solid team effort. Emily Flom, a 1st year at Amherst from Grosse Point Farms, Michigan, wowed the crowd with an outstanding rendition of the National Anthem; rich voice, hit the high notes, no hokey embelishments, just really nice. She was rewarded with an ovation for her effort. She then donned her helmet and made a significant contribution on the ice. It was obvious from the warm-ups that the Lord Jeffs would be without the services of All-American D Lloyd and they came out and played with passion from the opening faceoff. The problem was Conn 1st year keeper Fralick was standing on her head in net. She twice robbed point blank scoring chances from in close on an early Amherst powerplay, the second when Fisher took a fed from behind the net at Fralick's stickside post. Late in the period Clegg rushed into the slot only to have Fralick kick away her attempt. Conn had a great chance slip away with 1:30 left in the 1st when a shot slipped out of Lord Jeff goalie Murphy's grasp and landed on top of the cage. The 2nd opened with another Camel opportunity on a 2x1 in the first minute, but Murphy made two big saves to keep things locked at 0. Amherst broke through when Opperman got the puck to Flom on the left half boards; she worked out, anticipated the play and slid a perfect feed to Swiontowski coming off the Amherst bench; Swiontowski's drive from the top of the right circle beat Fralick stickside. The Lord Jeffs scored again when Swiontowski and Babineau worked the puck down low behind the net; Babineau got it out to Flom on the left boards and she had space, walked across the high slot, took her time and rifled a wrister up stickside of Fralick. Murphy kept her shutout early in the 3rd when she stoned Dumont on a deflection from the top of the crease on a Camel powerplay. Lord Jeff D was outstanding all day and in the 3rd allowed only 2 shots despite having to kill 2 penalties. Vitale added an insurance goal after she won a faceoff in the right circle; Baranek worked down low, got the puck to McInnis who fed Vitale in the slot for a quick wrist shot beating Fralick stickside. Real solid 60 minutes from the Lord Jeffs for the win. They now will face Bowdoin (3-2 OT winner over Williams) while Trinity (3-1 over Hamilton) will face host Middlebury (5-1 winner over Colby) in the NESCAC semi-finals.
Hope to see you all in Middlebury next weekend!
