CLINTON, N.Y. -- Sophomore midfielder Bennett Chow scored three goals, including the game-winner, to lead the Amherst College men's lacrosse team to a thrilling 9-8 victory over Hamilton College Saturday afternoon on the Continentals' Steuben Field.

The Mammoths improved to 2-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Hamilton fell to 1-2 overall, 0-2 in the NESCAC.

The game opened with Amherst striking first as Ben Wick capitalized on an extra-man opportunity to put the Mammoths ahead early. Hamilton responded quickly with an unassisted goal from Will Heher, and the two teams traded goals throughout the first quarter. Amherst entered the first intermission with a narrow 3-2 lead after Matthew Sheinberg netted a goal in the final minute of the quarter, only to see Frank Coyle respond with just six seconds left for Hamilton.

Hamilton carried momentum into the second quarter, scoring three consecutive goals to take a 5-3 lead. Justin Pearl, Carson Kraus, and Coyle each found the back of the net during the run. Amherst responded with a pair of goals as Alex Giacobbe and Alex Vlacich brought the game back to a tie. Hamilton reclaimed the lead with a man-up goal by Heher, assisted by Coyle, to take a 6-5 advantage into halftime.

Amherst wasted no time in the second half, as Bennett Chow struck just seconds into the third quarter to knot the game at 6-6. The teams continued their back-and-forth battle, with Hamilton briefly regaining the lead before goals from Wick and Chow gave Amherst an 8-7 edge. Pearl answered for Hamilton to tie the game at 8-8 heading into the final frame.

In a tense and defensive fourth quarter, Chow completed his hat trick with an unassisted goal at the 12:04 mark, which proved to be the game-winner. Amherst's defense held strong down the stretch, preventing Hamilton from getting a clean look at the cage in the final minutes.

The Mammoths are back in action on Tuesday when they host Springfield College at 6 p.m.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

• Amherst started strong with a man-up goal from Ben Wick in the opening minutes.
• Hamilton responded with multiple goal runs, taking the lead in the second quarter before Amherst fought back to tie the game.
• Bennett Chow delivered in clutch moments, scoring three goals, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter.
• Amherst's defense shut down Hamilton's attack in the final minutes, securing the victory.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Chow led all scorers with three goals, including the game-winner.
• Alex Vlacich added two goals and an assist for Amherst.
• Hamilton out shot Amherst, but the Mammoths' defense and timely scoring made the difference.
• Amherst's goalie Brooks Catlin came up with key saves in the final minutes to seal the win.