Contact: Ben Badua

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Max Fikke '14 netted the game's lone goal in the 34th minute to lift the second-ranked Amherst men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Little Three rival Wesleyan in a NESCAC semifinal game at Williams' Cole Field.

Advancing to their second-consecutive league final (sixth overall), the Jeffs (14-0-2) will look to defend their 2011 crown on Sunday, Nov. 4 (12 p.m.) against the archrival Ephs (14-0-2). Tying Wesleyan 1-1 earlier this season, the Jeffs improved to just 4-3-7 against the Cardinals since 2003, with a 2-1-1 record in NESCAC postseason contests. 

Amherst and Williams last met on Oct. 6, playing to a 0-0 (2ot) tie on Hitchcock Field, marking the third-consecutive meeting between the two squads that ended in a draw. The Jeffs and Ephs last clashed in the NESCAC playoffs in 2002, with Williams earning a 3-0 decision in the title game. The top-seeded Ephs advanced to their seventh conference championship game on penalty kicks after playing Tufts to a 0-0 (2ot) tie in their semifinal showdown.

Generating an early scoring opportunity in the third minute, Jae Heo '14 fired a shot off a set piece from 30 yards out just over the crossbar. Finding space near midfield in the 17th minute, James Mooney '13E looked to create another scoring chance by sending a long through ball toward Spencer Noon '13, but the forward was flagged offside.

Staying aggressive in the 34th minute, Amherst finally broke through. Julien Aoyama '14 got the play started, chipping a ball to Heo who in turn played a cross to Noon. Moving up the left flank, Noon took one touch before sending it into the six-yard box. With goalkeeper Adam Purdy '13 unable to handle the ball, Fikke swooped in, notching his sixth marker of the season. 

Undeterred, Wesleyan moved into the attacking third to start the second half, generating a quality scoring chance in the 59th minute. Sliding a pass past several Amherst defenders just outside of the 18-yard box, Walter Rodriguez '13 found the feet of Evan Hazelett '13, who quickly turned to goal before ripping a hard shot wide.

Still trailing in the waning moments of regulation, the Cardinals pressed forward, but a long stretch of Wesleyan possession produced just one shot from Adrian Reifsnyder '16 that veered wide of the far post.

Amherst finished with a 12-7 shot advantage and a 2-0 edge in corners. Thomas Bull '16 needed to make just two saves in the win, as the top-ranked Jeff backline recorded its 14th shutout of the season. Purdy made three stops in the loss.