The first time that Wesleyan (9-4-3 overall, 6-2-2 NESCAC) and Amherst (15-0-2 overall, 8-0-2 NESCAC) met this year, the two teams played to a tight 1-1 draw on Jackson Field in front of a massive Homecoming crowd as the Cardinals fed off the crowd’s energy. Perhaps Wesleyan’s chances in the latest meeting of the two perennial NESCAC powers last Saturday, Nov. 3 at Amherst were hurt from the outset by a smaller fan base. In what will likely remain its most painful loss of the year, Wesleyan men’s soccer was unable to advance past the favored Lord Jeffs, losing in the conference semifinals by a score of 1-0.

While Amherst may have been thrown by the earlier draw, the Lord Jeffs came out with the same game plan that they have employed successfully throughout the season: score goals, and concede nothing. In the 34th minute, the game took a sour turn for the Cardinals, as Amherst senior striker and reigning NESCAC Player of the Year Spencer Noon darted to the left edge of the 18 and lasered a cross in towards the net. Midfielder Max Fikke received the ball and fired it past a diving Adam Purdy ’13 for the lone goal on the half for either side. Amherst took a 6-2 advantage in shots in the frame and allowed no seriously close chances for the Cards.

As the second half began, the blustery winds and temperature in the high 30s did neither team’s offense any favors. Many of the second-half punts from Amherst keeper Thomas Bull cleared the field straight into Purdy’s outstretched arms as opposed to creating real offensive chances. For his part, Purdy chose to throw out of the box more, as punting would simply have been sent right back by the unforgiving winds.

Perhaps the Cardinals’ best chance to get on the board came around the 58th minute, as Senior Walter Rodriguez’s nifty footwork created space for him to send a pass across the top of the 18. The ball rolled in front of a charging Evan Hazelett ’13, who absolutely blasted a ball by Bull. Unfortunately, the shot also cleared the crossbar by about a foot.

Wesleyan continued the pressure, as evidenced by their closer 6-5 shot deficit for the half, but unfortunately it proved fruitless. The Cardinals’ other serious chance came from wing defender Brandon Sousa ’16, who put a mighty shot towards goal in the 51st minute. However, even though Bull’s view of the play was obscured by traffic, the ball curled just right of the post. In the end, Amherst came away with the victory in a well-fought game that saw six seniors represented in the Wesleyan starting lineup.

Amherst concluded their tournament with a victory the next day over tournament host and top-seeded Williams, crowning them NESCAC champions for the second straight year. All that is left for the Cardinals is to wait and hope for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. It has been a successful season to be sure, but one that may have fallen just slightly below the lofty goals that the team set for themselves at the onset.