Contact: Justin Long

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – One of the most successful seasons in Amherst College field hockey history came to a close Sunday afternoon with a 1-0 loss to Middlebury College in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship.

Amherst and Middlebury had been 1-1 against each other this season, but the Panthers (16-3) took the rubber match to advance to next Saturday's semifinal against Bowdoin (19-0). The Lord Jeffs finish the year at 15-4, tying the program record for wins in a season. 

The Lord Jeffs held a 16-5 advantage in penalty corners but could not capitalize on their opportunities. Amherst's defense had gone nearly 200 minutes without allowing a goal in the NCAA Tournament, but the Panthers finally broke through at 54:54 when NESCAC Player of the Year Lauren Greer '13 scored her 34th goal of the season. 

Amherst controlled the tempo offensively in the first half, earning eight penalty corners compared to two for Middlebury, but was unable to convert as the teams remained in a scoreless tie at the break.

The Lord Jeffs came out strong early in the second half but were unable to solve goalie Becca Shaw. The teams continued to play strong defensively before Greer—the nation's leading scorer—put a shot on target that was turned away by Amherst goalie Rachel Tannenbaum '15 (Berwyn, Pa.), allowing Greer to corral the rebound and convert on her second chance.

The Lord Jeffs tried to get the equalizer late with four corners over the final 6:17, but the Panther defense held strong and conserved the lead to earn the 1-0 victory. Shaw recorded her second shutout of the season by making eight saves, while Tannenbaum finished with five stops. 

Amherst's outstanding senior class of Chrissy Cantore '12 (Hershey, Pa.), Stephanie Clegg '12 (Woburn, Mass.), Carly Dudzik '12 (Darien, Conn.), Rachel Lupien '12 (Baltimore, Md.), Sarah McCarrick '12 (New Canaan, Conn.) and Casey Silver '12 (Wheelright, Mass.) posted a 49-18 record in four years. The Class of 2012 earned a top-four seed in each of its NESCAC Championship appearances and helped the Lord Jeffs advance to two NCAA Tournaments.