ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Three first-half goals secured a 3-0 win over Westminster (PA) and a place in the NCAA Championship Round of 32 for the #8 Amherst College women's soccer team Saturday afternoon.
Amherst improved to 17-2-0 with its 11 consecutive victories. The Mammoths, the top seed in the regional, will take on-site host R.I.T. Sunday at 3 p.m. for a spot in the Sweet 16. The Tigers defeated Johnson & Wales, 3-1, in Saturday's second game at Tiger Stadium.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
* Amherst began with lots of energy and it took nine-and-a-half minutes for the #8-nationally-ranked team to take the lead. Sophomore
Patience Kum - who was named NESCAC Player of the Year this week - opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Kum laid the ball off with a short pass to senior
Isabel Stern, who hit a first-time pass forward and through the Westminster defense. Kum ran onto the pass and took a touch to speed past the deepest outfield players to set up a one-on-one contest with the Titans' goalkeeper. With her left foot, Kum slotted a shot past the goalkeeper. The ball bounced off the post as it dribbled into the goal.
* Amherst's second goal began with a lofted volleyed pass from sophomore
Carter Hollingsworth to Stern who started making ground in the attacking half with the ball at her feet. After carrying the ball around 20 yards, Stern delicately passed the ball forward to junior
Liza Katz. In the penalty box, Katz cut back to find some space before firing the ball into the bottom corner with her right cleat. The goal recorded was the seventh of the season for Katz.
* The Mammoths made it 3-0 30 seconds before halftime. The attacking move began with a promising cross from first-year
Ella Johnson from the left side into the penalty box. The ball made its way to sophomore
Charlotte McGuire who rose above a defender to flick the ball on with her head. Junior
Ally Deegan connected with another header to power the ball into the goal past the onrushing goalkeeper.
* Amherst dictated play throughout the second half without letting Westminster score to get back into the game. Sophomore goalkeeper
Katya Besch was required to make two saves during the last thirty minutes of the game. Strong and organized defending helped the Mammoths keep their sixth successive clean sheet. The Mammoths will aim to continue the momentum from their current 11-game winning streak in the next round of the NCAA tournament.
* BY THE NUMBERS:
* Amherst now holds a 17-2-0 overall record (8-2-0 in NESCAC regular season; 3-0-0 in NESCAC post-season; 1-0-0 in NCAA Championship) for the season.
* Amherst took 15 shots (11 on goal); Westminster took 3 (2 on goal).
