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WSOC WPI 9225
Kris Dufour
0
WPI WPI (2-1-0, 0-0-0)
1
Winner Amherst AMHERST (1-0-0, 0-0-0)
WPI WPI
(2-1-0, 0-0-0)
0
Final
1
Amherst AMHERST
(1-0-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
WPI WPI 0 0 0
Amherst AMHERST 1 0 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

A Darling Debut Sees #6 Mammoths Past WPI, 1-0

AMHERST, MA. – With a rowdy crowd at their backs, the No. 6-ranked Amherst College women's soccer team opened their 2025 season at home on Gooding Field on Tuesday, Sept. 2 against local foe Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). After a dominant first half, the Mammoths weathered the storm in the second on the way to a close 1-0 victory over the Engineers.

With the win, the Mammoths improve to 1-0 this season, while Engineers drop to 2-1. Amherst will look to build on their performance in their NESCAC opener this weekend, taking the trip to New London, Conn. to face Conn. College on Saturday, Sept. 6. Kickoff against the Camels is set for 11:30 a.m.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
 
* The game started with the hosts controlling much of the tempo with precise passing and relentless defense. That momentum showed on the stat sheet, with the Mammoths preventing WPI from registering a shot for the first 25 minutes of play while firing off four of their own.
 
* Caroline Coletti led the Mammoth offense in that time taking two of the team's shots and playing quite a few dangerous crosses into the box that Amherst was unable to put away. The most threatening of those opportunities came 15 minutes into the game, when a cross from the sophomore found Jessica Lomo in prime position; however, the junior's effort pinged against the post and the game remained tied at 0-0.
 
* After putting their opponents under pressure the entire half, the Mammoths finally broke through with just over 10 minutes to go in the first half. Some slick footwork from Lomo created space just beyond half field and took advantage, playing a stellar through ball to a sprinting Emma Darling. The speedy first year took advantage of her pace, getting past the defense and tapping the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead going into the half.
 
* The second stanza saw tactical adjustments from WPI swing the flow of play. Despite outshooting the Engineers 5-2, the Mammoths found themselves facing much more pressure – senior goalkeeper Lulu Fickes, who didn't see any action in the first half, was called on twice in the second. She was up to the task, diving to her right for the first attempt and punching away a second to keep the Amherst margin intact.
 
* The home side's best chance of the second half came early in the frame. After just four minutes had elapsed, Lomo received an Amherst throw, faced up, and drove at the Engineer defense. Lomo was able to tap the ball back to a wide open Kate Quigley, whose attempt from outside the box rolled just wide.
 
* Amherst's defense held strong in the last 10 minutes despite a strong push from their opponents – Quigley, Mekhala Costello, Ella Johnson, and Sophia Haynes held the line and helped seal the win.
 
 BY THE NUMBERS:

* Darling's goal in the 36th minute tally was opened her Amherst account in her first collegiate game. Fellow first years Ani Populoh and Sophie Chen also made their Mammoth debuts against the Engineers.

* The Mammoths outshot WPI 11-4, including 3-2 in shots on goal, and lead 10-2 in corner kicks on the day.
 
* Senior goalie Fickes made 2 saves in her fifth career shutout.
 
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