WILLIAMSTOWN, MA - The Amherst College men's hockey team took an early 2-0 lead on first-period goals by sophomore A.J. Greco (Williamsville, NY) and first-year Sean Ellis (Springfield, MA) but couldn't hang on in a key NESCAC matchup at Williams College on Saturday, falling 4-3 to the archrival Ephs.

Down 2-0, Williams responded with four unanswered goals - three in the first period and one in the third - to take a 4-2 lead they would never relinquish. Amherst connected once more on a power-play tally by Beau Kretzman with 14:19 left in regulation, but the late outburst proved to be too little, too late as the Jeffs fell to 9-8-2 overall and 4-8-1 in conference play.

Rookie netminder Dan Smith (Rochester, MN) turned away 24 shots for the Jeffs. Senior Ben Fash tallied 20 saves for Williams, which upped its record 10-6-1 overall, 9-4-1 in league play.

Williams goes on the road next weekend to face NESCAC foes Trinity on Friday night and Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon. The games are set to begin at 7pm and 3pm, respectively.

Amherst returns to action Sunday at 1 p.m. at third-ranked Middlebury College - a game that was originally scheduled for Friday night but postponed due to inclement weather.