Box Score
MEDFORD – Amherst's Sara Culhane turned in a hat trick to help the No. 13 Purple and White deal No. 6 Tufts a 3-2 setback in double overtime on Homecoming at Ounjian Field on Saturday afternoon. The rainy and cold loss was the Jumbos first of the year.
With the setback the Jumbos move to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Amherst is now 6-2 overall this season and 2-2 in NESCAC games.
The Jumbos were the first to get on the board and they did it early as they drew a penalty corner just 5:23 into the first half and sophomore Gigi Tutoni was able to find a rebound and get the ball past Amherst keeper, Emily Horwitz to give the Jumbos the 1-0 advantage.
The Purple and White would tie it up just about 15 minutes into the second half when Culhane notched her first goal of the game as she deflected a pass from Elizabeth Turnbull that went past Jumbo sophomore goalie Emily Polinski to tie the contest at one.
Just about nine minutes later the Jumbos took the lead again as junior Mary Kate Patton fed a beautiful pass to freshman Rachel Hamilton inside the circle and just in front of the goal and Hamilton was able to sneak the ball right past the feet of Amherst's Emilie Flamme who had relieved Horwitz in goal after an injury during the first half.
The Purple and White refused to quit and with just under six minutes left in the second half Culhane would tally her second of the game to tie the score at two.
The two teams played a pretty even first overtime period, both having their chances to score, but neither team able to score the game winner. It was just under six minutes into the second overtime when Turnbull fed the ball to Culhane just inside the midfield line and Culhane was able to breakaway and bring the ball into the circle to face Polinski who was ready to challenge her. Culhane shot the ball into the left corner of the goal to give the Purple and White the 3-2 win.
The Jumbos finished with the advantage in shots, 17-12, and a slight advantage in penalty corners, 8-6. Flamme got the win in goal for the Purple and White making four saves playing just over 68 minutes. Horwitz played just under 22 minutes and made one save during that time. Polinski suffered her first loss of the season and made three saves.
Amherst will be back in action on Sunday when they travel up to Bates for a 12 pm contest with the Bobcats. The Jumbos take the field again on Sunday at home when Hamilton pays a visit to Ounjian Field for a 12 pm start.
