AMHERST, MA – The Amherst College men's soccer team ended its run in the NCAA Tournament with a 1-0 loss to Western New England College at Hitchcock Field in Amherst on Sunday. The Lord Jeffs finish their season with a record of 13-3-1, while the WNEC Golden Bears improve to 16-5-2 and advance to the NCAA round of 16 to play an opponent to be determined later today.

It looked as though the rain might hold off for the game, but a light drizzle fell on Hitchcock Field as the opening whistle blew. The first ten minutes of the game indicated that the Jeffs and Bears were evenly matched, as the teams battled back-and-forth with great scoring opportunities and tough defensive play. Amherst challenged the WNEC keeper, senior Chris Wilk (Derry, NH), early on back-to-back corner kicks, but the Jeffs' first shot went wide and the second was punched away by Wilk.

Midway through the first half, the rain began to fall harder as the Golden Bears began their first serious attack. Senior Evan Heymann (Ipswich, MA) dribbled to the end line and dropped the ball back to fellow senior Mike Zawislak (Newark, DE) inside eight yards of Amherst territory. Zawislak ripped a low, hard shot to the far side of the goal past sophomore keeper Jeff Grover (Framingham, MA) to put WNEC ahead 1-0 with 22 minutes remaining in the first half.

Amherst controlled the next ten minutes of the game and had two good shots, but both were just wide of the goal. With ten minutes remaining in the half, WNEC countered after clearing an Amherst free kick, when first-year David Fitzpatrick played a ball through deep into Amherst territory. Grover rushed out and smothered the ball, but was warned by the official when things got physical between him and a WNEC player.

WNEC looked as though it would capitalize on some sloppy Amherst defense late in the half, but its corner kick was punched away by Grover. Amherst quickly countered when junior Taylor Downs (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY) tried to settle a bouncing ball inside the 18-yard line with no defense around him, but his shot went wide of the goal. Neither team threatened again in the half, as the score remained 1-0 in favor of WNEC heading into halftime.

The second half displayed more back-and-forth action until 14 minutes in, when Amherst had its best scoring opportunity of the game. Sophomore Nick Lynch (Kingston, Jamaica) took a free kick from 25 yards out but had it blocked by a defensive wall. Lynch controlled the rebound and placed a hard shot on net to the far post, but Wilk came up with a huge save, turning the ball away. The ball was knocked to the feet of sophomore Jake Duker (Newton, MA), who ripped a point-blank shot but right at Wilk. The ball again rebounded out to the feet of Duker, but the Jeffs couldn't find the back of the net thanks to some outstanding goalkeeping by Wilk.

Duker again found himself open deep in WNEC territory with 22 minutes remaining in the second half when he dribbled free from the Golden Bears' defense and ripped a shot from 18 yards out, but the ball sailed just wide of the net. Neither team would threaten again for another ten minutes, when Heymann broke away from the Jeffs' defense and looked as though he would tally another goal for WNEC, but his chip shot was tipped by Grover and cleared by the defense.

The teams battled back-and-forth for a ten-minute span late in the half, when Amherst finally set up a corner kick with just three minutes remaining. A hand-ball penalty, however, quickly ended what would be the Lord Jeffs' final threat, as WNEC was able to prevent any further attacks and preserve the 1-0 upset victory. As the final whistle blew, the Golden Bears stormed the field as Amherst watched its season come to an end.

The teams combined for 18 fouls and three yellow cards in what was a very physical game. Amherst dominated the Golden Bears on paper, out-shooting WNEC 16 to five, but failed to convert on any opportunities, due in large part to great play by Wilk, who picked up five saves on the day. Grover added five saves of his own for Amherst. 

WNEC will resume their 2006 season next weekend, when they will take on an opponent to be determined later today in the NCAA round of 16.