Consistency is key when it comes to building a successful collegiate program on any level, and Amherst College men’s soccer head coach Justin Serpone has made trips to the NCAA Division III Final Four a consistent destination for the Mammoths during his 17 seasons as head coach.

And after beating Wisconsin-Eau Claire 2-1 in the Elite Eight on Sunday, Amherst returned to the national semifinal for the fourth time in the last five tournaments (excluding a canceled 2020 season). The Mammoths will take on a familiar enemy in the Final Four, which is located in Las Vegas this year.

That enemy is Middlebury, a fellow NESCAC team that is no stranger to high-stakes games with Amherst. The last 11 contests between Amherst and Middlebury have either been one-goal differences or draws.

After losing in overtime in last season’s national championship game to St. Olaf and earning runner-up titles in 2021 and 2019, surely the Mammoths are motivated to avenge those performances and don the national crown, right?

“Believe it or not, no,” Serpone said when asked if last season’s defeat has inspired his team during this postseason run. “There’s been no talk of that. We’re just focused on the next game, the one in front of us. And that sounds like some sort of coach talk, but it’s not. The only way to win single elimination tournaments is by focusing on what’s in front of you. Climb the stair that’s in front of you. And that’s Middlebury.”

Amherst defeated Neumann University 3-1 in the first round before getting the best of Stevens in PKs in round two. That set up a date with Wisconsin-Superior in the Sweet 16, which the Mammoths handled in a high-scoring, double-overtime affair, 3-2. They then slid past Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 2-1, to advance to the big stage in Vegas.

According to Serpone, Amherst has dealt with an influx of injuries and other roadblocks that have made this season especially difficult. He emphasized that – although Amherst may make advancing to Final Fours look easy – getting this far in the tournament is extremely difficult. So to have faced more adversity this season than in years past has added an extra layer to this postseason run.

“Being able to overcome the injuries and challenges, and to still be playing, I think that says more about the program than anything,” Serpone said. “Some of these guys, it’s their third Final Four, and they’ve been outstanding leaders. But they’ve also taken leadership lessons from guys in the past, and once the flywheel starts moving, as far as a positive culture, it’s a pretty special thing. They’re mentally tough, disciplined and physically tough. It’s a group that cares a lot, and when you get a bunch of people that care a lot together in one place, whatever the goal is, it’s a powerful thing.”

Thursday’s winner between Amherst and Middlebury (the two teams – naturally – tied 1-1 in their only regular season meeting) will face the winner of the other semifinal, Connecticut College and Washington & Lee, in the national championship game on Saturday. Both semifinals can be streamed on the NCAA’s website. Amherst and Middlebury kicks off at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Serpone may travel to Vegas semi-regularly with his wife, but almost all of the members of Amherst’s team have never been. Perhaps their first trip to Sin City will be a memorable one.

“We have a pretty geographically eclectic team, guys are from all over the place, some international guys,” Serpone said. “So it’ll be cool, man. I think it’ll be a special experience. All Final Fours are special. They do a good job making the site feel special. There’s a banquet, the guys get to do community service, they get a bunch of swag – it’s great.”

Based on how the previous 11 matchups have gone, it’s a safe bet to assume Amherst and Middlebury will make it a dozen straight one-goal games or draws. Serpone expects it to play out that way, and he’s made sure they know to take no plays off.

“It’ll be a game of small margins,” he said. “It’s going to be one moment, and we’re gonna try our best to be on the right end of it.”