AMHERST, MA - The Amherst College men's hockey team dropped its fourth consecutive game, falling to visiting ECAC East foe Skidmore College, 7-3, Friday night at Orr Rink. Sophomore forward Nate Smith (Melrose Park, PA) notched a pair of goals while junior Joe Ziolkowski (Hudson, NH) dished out three assists to lead the Thoroughbreds to the victory.

Things looked good for the Jeffs early on. Sophomore forward Scott Aldrich (Wilmington, MA) took a feed from classmate Beau Kretzman (Edina, MN) and chipped the puck into the back of the net. Moments later, Aldrich returned the favor, setting up Kretzman for a left-handed wrister from the right circle, giving Amherst a 2-0 lead midway through the opening period.

Skidmore rallied with six unanswered goals. Sophomore defender Ryan Yost (Livonia, MI) ignited the barrage, slapping a one-timer from the right circle past senior netminder Justin Jagher (Framingham, MA). Jeff sophomore forward Thierry Pauyo (Montreal, Quebec) netted a goal on a breakaway late in the third, but it was too little, too late as the visitors tacked on their second empty-net goal to seal the win.

Jagher finished with 20 saves for the hosts, while rookie goaltender Matt Meacham (Massena, NY) was stellar in net, turning aside 36 shots for the Thoroughbreds. With the loss, the Jeffs drop to 3-10-2 overall and 3-6-1 in conference play while Skidmore extends its winning streak to three games and improves to 4-9-1 and 3-6-1.

Amherst returns to action Saturday at 3 p.m. against visiting ECAC East rival Mass. College.