EAU CLAIRE, WI — The #8 Amherst College men's soccer team traveled to Wisconsin to play their Sweet Sixteen match of the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament on Saturday. The Mammoths took on the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets in the afternoon. With a winner from first-year Michael Cherico, the Mammoths prevailed in overtime with a score of 3-2. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

• Both teams came out strong, creating early chances and testing the goalkeepers within the first seven minutes. It wasn't until the 28th minute, however, that the first breakthrough occurred. Senior Fynn Hayton-Ruffner opened the scoring for the Mammoths after a series of defensive missteps by Superior. A wayward bouncing ball was headed backward by a Superior defender, but the clearance ricocheted off a teammate just 10 meters ahead. The Mammoths capitalized immediately - senior Wyatt McCarthy gathered the loose ball and passed it across the field to sophomore Mohammed Nuhu on the left. Nuhu delivered a diagonal ball to Hayton-Ruffner, who expertly took a touch, shifted to his left foot to beat his defender one-on-one, and slotted the ball into the far corner. Despite the goalkeeper's diving effort, the shot found the back of the net. No further shots occurred in the first half, which ended with Amherst leading 1-0.
• Amherst doubled their lead less than five minutes into the second half, thanks to a long throw-in from senior Johnny. His impressive launch into the penalty area allowed the Mammoths to leverage their height advantage, winning consecutive headers. Senior Simon Kalinauskas knocked the ball on at the near post, followed by first-year Michael Cherico, who redirected it further. The ball eventually fell to first-year Mohammed Nuhu, who delivered a stunning first-time volley into the top corner from close range, making it 2-0.
• The Yellowjackets responded quickly, narrowing the gap just two minutes later. A controversial penalty was awarded after Kalinauskas slid in to dispossess a Superior attacker. John Bellamy stepped up and struck a powerful, low shot past senior goalkeeper Max Landa, who dived to his right but couldn't keep it out.
• By the 68th minute, the game was tied. Superior's Alfie Hudd sent a perfectly placed diagonal cross into the box, allowing Aaron Shartin-Folkert to find space and meet it with a long-range header. The ball struck the post and bounced into the net, beating Landa to make it 2-2. Both goalkeepers were then called into action, making crucial saves before the 70th minute. The momentum shifted again in the 80th minute when Nicolas Stokker of Superior was shown a red card, leaving the Yellowjackets down to 10 men for the remainder of the match. Despite this advantage, neither team could break the deadlock in regulation, and the match headed into overtime for the second consecutive game.
• In the second half of overtime, Amherst's stamina shone through. With just 66 seconds remaining, first-year Michael Cherico emerged as the hero. First-year Jacob Dinzeo delivered a precise cross from the left wing, and Cherico timed his run perfectly, connecting with a sharp header into the bottom corner. It marked Cherico's sixth goal of the season and secured a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Mammoths.

BY THE NUMBERS: 

• Amherst had 15 shots (13 on goal); Superior had 5 (5 on goal).
• Amherst committed 25 fouls; Superior made 19. 

UP NEXT:

• Amherst now holds a 13-2-4 overall record (7-2-2 versus NESCAC opposition).
• Up next: Amherst's win secures their spot in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. The Mammoths will face the #7 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds at 4pm EST. The match will take place on Simpson Field in Eau Claire, WI.