AMHERST, MA - The third-ranked Amherst College women's lacrosse team never trailed in the contest, but visiting NESCAC and Little Three rival Wesleyan University gave the Lord Jeffs all they could handle in a 12-11 victory on Saturday. Senior Ashley Harmeling (N. Reading, MA) and sophomore Alyssa Briody (Hopewell, NJ) scored four goals and an assist apiece for the Jeffs, who remained undefeated at 7-0 (5-0 NESCAC), while Wesleyan fell to 6-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play. 

The two teams went back and forth in the opening 29 minutes, alternating goals en route to a 4-4 tie. Amherst tallied a pair of key scores in the final minute of the first half, one each by Harmeling and Briody, to take a 6-4 edge into the break. Senior Becca Vogel (Blauvelt, NY) tallied three of the first four Wesleyan goals. 

The Jeffs extended their lead 59 seconds into the second half, as Harmeling notched her third score of the contest to give Amherst a 7-4 lead. However, Wesleyan didn't waver, netting four of the game's next five tallies to knot the score at 8-8. After a timeout at the 20:41-mark, Amherst rallied with back-to-back goals from Briody and junior Scotty Hanley (Baltimore, MD) to take control 10-8. 

The Cardinals had no intention of going quietly, and once again tied the game on scores by senior Sarah Milo (Woodbury, NY) and junior Becky Meredith (Cockeysville, MD) with just under 10 minutes left in regulation. Amherst took the lead for good as Harmeling registered an unassisted tally at the 5:51-mark, and Briody netted the game-winner with 3:27 left. The Cardinals gave the Lord Jeffs one last scare in the final minute, trimming the lead to one with just 26 seconds to play in the game, but Amherst was able to control the following draw and held on for the 12-11 victory. 

Amherst junior Caitie Parker (Bethesda, MD) notched a goal and an assist on the afternoon, while Hanley, senior Cate Smith (Saint James, MD) and sophomore Liz Wise (Scarsdale, NY) each found the net. Junior Laura Brown (Bethesda, MD) paced the Jeff defense with five caused turnovers and four ground balls. Vogel led Wesleyan with five goals on the afternoon. 

Amherst senior co-captain Liv D'Ambrosio (Farmington, CT) collected 10 saves in the victory, while junior Kate Jones (Duxbury, MA) grabbed 10 saves for the Cardinals. 

Amherst returns to action Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. against visiting NESCAC foe Bates College.