AMHERST, MA - The Amherst College men's soccer team defeated non-conference host Springfield College on Wednesday night. The Jeffs improved to 4-1-2 on the season, while the Pride fell to 1-7.

Amherst drew first blood at the 12-minute mark as sophomore Taylor Downs (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY) notched his fourth goal of the season off a Jake Duker (Newton, MA) assist. Amherst senior goalkeeper Greg Lockwood (Vancouver, WA) posted all three of his saves in the first half to thwart the Springfield attack for the rest of the frame to secure a 1-0 edge heading into the break.

The Jeffs added an insurance tally just eight minutes into the second stanza, as junior Rob Madden (New Haven, CT) found the back of the net in the 53rd minute off a feed from sophomore Ryan O'Donnell (Belchertown, MA). Springfield's Chad Bonnell (Hazlet, NJ) responded in the 82nd minute with his first goal of the season, but the Pride comeback attempt ended there as the Jeff defense stymied the Pride the rest of the way.

Springfield sophomore keeper B.J. Sturdivant (Bear, DE) posted seven stops in a losing effort.

Amherst returns to action Saturday at 11 a.m. against visiting NESCAC rival Bowdoin College.