The men’s soccer team extended its unbeaten streak against Amherst to seven games (3-0-4) with a 1-1 tie at Jackson Field on Saturday. The match was closely contested the entire way and, in the end, neither team could put away a second goal for the win.
Despite the cold conditions and neighboring football game, a homecoming crowd of about 500 people cheered on the Cardinals as they did battle with the Lord Jeffs. Amherst came into the game ranked number 12 in New England, but could not live up to its higher ranking as Wesleyan provided a tough challenge to the team.
Just 12 minutes into the game, Geoff Zartarian ’11 put a goal away off an assist by Ozzie Parente ’09 to give the Cards a 1-0 lead, but it wouldn’t last long. Just 12 minutes later, Amherst’s Rory O’Connor scored a goal of his own to provide the 1-1 score that would last another 66 minutes and through two overtime periods.
Wesleyan had distinct advantages in two areas.First, Cardinal attackers pummeled Amherst goalie Lennard Kovacs with 11 shots on goal. Second, Amherst’s Reid Wilson drew a red card for a flagrant foul in the 40th minute, forcing the Lord Jeffs to play with 10 men for the remaining 70 minutes. But Wes could not take advantage of these favorable conditions, as Kovacs made 10 saves and Amherst used substitutes to compensate for the fatigue of its remaining starters.
A draw often provides mixed reactions from participants, and Zartarian gave a concise and somewhat noncommittal reply when asked to describe the game.
“It was a great day to play soccer,” Zartarian said.
Wesleyan will look to improve its 4-5-2 record, and its 2-2-2 NESCAC record, this Tuesday, Oct. 21, when they travel to Medford to play Tufts.
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