Contact: Melissa Martin

PHOTO GALLERY 
(courtesy of Mark Box of Clarus Studios)

AMHERST, Mass. – Elizabeth Turnbull '18 scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the eighth-ranked Amherst College field hockey team extended its winning streak to seven games with a 2-1 win over Colby College at Gooding Field Saturday.

With the win, Amherst moves to 9-2 on the year and 6-2 in the NESCAC, while the Mules fall to 6-5 on the season and 1-5 in league play.

An impressive showing by Mules goaltender Sarah Evans '16 could not stop the Jeffs as goals by Annika Nygren '16 and Elizabeth Turnbull proved to be enough to led Amherst to the win on Senior Day.

The first half proved to be a back and forth battle as neither team was able to gain significant momentum. Amherst's best scoring opportunity of the half came at the 16 minute mark when a pass from Ellie Anderson '15 gave Nygren a breakaway against the Colby netminder, but Evans protected the scoreless tie as the team's entered the break with both teams recording three shots on net.

After the intermission, the Purple & White came out strong, scoring the first goal of the game only two minutes into the half. A shot from Madeline Tank '15 was met with a save, but Nygren tipped the rebound out of the air and into the net for her seventh score and 19th point of the year.

While Amherst maintained momentum for the next 20 minutes, Colby began a final push in the last 10 minutes that ultimately lead to a Mules' score. After a Colby timeout at the 6:43 mark, the Mules earned a corner with 5:38 left in the game.  The pass from Kaitlyn O'Connell met the stick of Erin Maguire who took a hard low shot from the top of the circle that beat Jeff goaltender Emily Horwitz '17, and tied the game 1-1.

Amherst had one final opportunity to win the game in regulation as two consecutive green cards were awarded to Colby players inside the two minute mark, but the Purple & White were unable to capitalize on the penalties. 

In the opening minutes of overtime, Misha Strage out sprinted an Amherst defender and had an uncontested shot on goaltender Rachel Tannenbaum '15, but Tannenbaum came up with the big save.  However, Strage collected her own rebound and put another shot on net that was met with a defensive save by Annie Turnbull '17.

The game-winning goal came at the 9:25 mark as a corner pass from Nygren found the stick of Elizabeth Turnbull, who proceeded to take a hard shot from the top of the circle that beat Evans on the low left side.

Amherst held a 12-9 edge in shots and a 10-4 advantage in corners. Horwitz finished the day with six saves, while Evans recorded nine.

The Jeffs return to action on Wednesday, October 15th when they take the field for a non-conference matchup at Castleton State at 7 p.m.