AMHERST, Mass. – In a rematch of last season's NESCAC quarterfinal between nationally ranked ancient rivals, Williams College picked up a 3-0 shutout of the Amherst College field hockey team on Saturday at Hill Field.

The Ephs, ranked ninth in the nation in the latest NFHCA Division III poll, improved to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in NESCAC play while the 10th-ranked Mammoths fell to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play.

The Mammoths return to action in a week's time, visiting Wesleyan in the other leg of the Little Three rivalry on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 11 a.m.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

* The Ephs got on the scoreboard off a penalty corner late in the first quarter. Senior Molly Hellman inserted directly to sophomore Pilar Torres, who fired a shot from the circle for her fourth goal of the season.

* Williams added another goal early in the third quarter. The ball came free out of traffic in the circle and first-year Laura Ryan blasted it into the top corner for her first collegiate goal.

* The Ephs capped the scoring midway through the fourth quarter as sophomore Kiki Higgins maneuvered through traffic and struck for her team-leading sixth goal of the season.

BY THE NUMBERS:

* Senior Gates Tenerowicz made three saves in goal for Williams to pick up her second shutout of the season, while senior Sara Nidus stopped six shots for the Mammoths.

* Williams held a 14-6 advantage in shots and a 9-4 lead in penalty corners.

* The visitors won for the fourth straight game between these archrivals.