Amherst College soccer teams both advance to Sweet 16

Published: 11-18-2024 5:25 PM |
The Amherst College men’s and women’s soccer teams advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III tournament this past weekend, each claiming dramatic wins in the Round of 32.
The men’s team edged the Stevens Institute of Technology in penalty kicks, 3-0, following a 1-1 score in regulation, while the women beat Rochester, 3-2.
On the men’s side, Mohammed Nuhu, Fynn Hayton-Ruffner and Jacob Lahlou all scored for the No. 8 Mammoths during the shootout, while goalkeeper Max Landa turned aside both chances from the Ducks, to seal the victory on Sunday at Hitchcock Field.
Amherst was in control for much of the match as it recorded 28 shots to Stevens’ seven. Michael Cherico tallied the Mammoth’s goal during the second half on a header at 48:46.
The Ducks evened the score, 1-1, late in regulation on a strike from from Terry Thompson. Neither team could find the back of the net in overtime, forcing penalties to determine the winner.
“That was a great game,” Mammoths head coach Justin Serpone said in a media release. “I have so much respect for Coach Jordan and the Stevens group. We played them last year in the second round. I have no emotions left in my body right now. That was an unbelievable game. We knew it was going to be a great game and it certainly was. Both teams gave their absolute all for 110 minutes today. I'm happy we get to spend another week together and can keep going.”
Amherst beat Neumann, 3-1, during the opening round of the tournament on Saturday. Ben Clark-Eden, Niall Murphy and Obed Opoku all scored for the Mammoths.
Amherst (12-2-4) will play Wisconsin-Superior next in Eau Claire, Wisc. on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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The women’s team got a timely strike from Alyssa Huynh during the 82nd minute of their upset-win against the No. 15 Yellowjackets on Sunday in Rochester.
Tied 2-2, Huynh corralled a loose ball after a Mammoths corner kick and scored her first of the season off assists from Carter Hollingsworth and Ella Johnson.
Abby Schwartz sent No. 18 Amherst ahead, 1-0, at 7:56, but Rochester scored the next two goals early in the second half. The Mammoths found themselves behind, 2-1, within a seven-minute span after leading for nearly the entire opening 45 minutes.
Halle Hanna brought the score to 2-2 on a marker at 62:43 for the Mammoths, 20 minutes before Huynh’s heroic goal. Mika Fisher also had to be sharp for Amherst as the Mammoths’ goalkeeper concluded with five saves, including a stop on Rochester’s Sydney Holmes during the 88th minute.
Amherst shut out SUNY-New Paltz, 2-0, on in its opening round game on Saturday. Patience Kum and Caroline Coletti nabbed goals while Fisher had one save for the Mammoths.
Amherst (13-1-6) will play Illinois Institute of Technology next in Dubuque, Iowa on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.