Courtesy of Tufts Sports Information

SOMERVILLE, Mass. – Backed by goals from Julien Aoyama '14 and Jae Heo '14, the second-ranked Amherst men's soccer team spoiled Homecoming for host Tufts with a 2-0 victory. The win improved the Lord Jeffs' unbeaten record to 7-0-0 (4-0-0 NESCAC) while handing the Jumbos (4-1-2, 2-1-2 NESCAC ) their first loss of 2012.

Amherst controlled play throughout, outshooting Tufts 11-5, including a 7-1 advantage in shots on goal. The Jeffs improved to 6-0-1 in their last seven meetings with the Jumbos, having outscored Tufts 17-1 over that span.

In a fast and physical match, Heo put Amherst up in the eighth minute when he took a powerful throw-in from Chris Lerner '13 to the doorstep for the tap in. The strike marked Heo's team-leading sixth goal of the season as well as Lerner's second assist of the year. Continuing his stellar junior season, Heo has now scored in all but one of Amherst's contests.

Tufts' best chance in the first half came in the 24th minute when Franco Silva dove and headed the ball just wide after a well-placed cross to the far post.

Amherst netted its insurance tally in the 36th minute after Tufts defender Sam Williams collided with Aoyama at the top-right corner of the Jumbo box. Earning a penalty kick Aoyama beat keeper Wyatt Zeller to give the visitors a two-goal lead at the half.

Tufts had another diving header chance go wide in the 68th minute, while the Jeffs nearly padded their lead with two late free kick chances just outside the box.

Amherst goalie Thomas Bull '16 needed only one save to earn his fifth shutout of the season, while Zeller recorded five stops for the Jumbos.

The Jeffs will look to remain undefeated on Tuesday night when they visit Lesley College for an 8 p.m. match.