MEDFORD, MA - The third-ranked Amherst College women's lacrosse team squeaked past 16th-ranked NESCAC host Tufts University on Wednesday, 8-7. Sophomore Liz Wise (Scarsdale, NY) tallied the game-winning score with just 3:32 left in regulation as the Jeffs improved to 10-1 (7-1 NESCAC), while Tufts fell to 7-6 overall and 3-5 in conference play. 

Amherst's defense controlled the tempo in the opening frame, surrendering just one goal, while senior co-captain goalie Liv D'Ambrosio (Farmington, CT) racked up five first-half saves. Wise notched a pair of goals and senior Ashley Harmeling (N. Reading, MA) added the first of her three tallies to give the Jeffs a 4-1 halftime advantage. 

Harmeling stretched the lead to 5-1 in the opening minutes of the second frame with a free-position goal, but Tufts came storming back, scoring six of the game's next seven goals to give the Jumbos a 7-6 edge with just under nine minutes remaining. Tufts senior Megan Doughty led the comeback, netting three goals and dealing a pair of assists, and sophomore Lauren Murphy capped the run to give the Jumbos their first and only lead of the day. However, the Jeffs regained their composure down the stretch as Wise fed classmate Alyssa Briody (Hopewell, NJ) at the 5:16-mark, and Wise scored her third goal of the day less than two minutes later to seal the victory. 

Amherst senior Cate Smith (Saint James, MD) also found the net, while Briody and junior Scotty Hanley (Baltimore, MD) each dished out an assist. D'Ambrosio finished with eight saves in goal, while her Tufts counterpart, senior Dana Panzer, finished with nine saves. 

With the win, Amherst secured a first-round home game in the NESCAC Tournament, which opens Sunday with the time and opponent to be determined. The Jeffs wrap up regular-season play Saturday at 11 a.m. against visiting sixth-ranked NESCAC rival Bowdoin College.