Contact: Ben Badua

AMHERST, Mass. - The 11th-ranked Amherst field hockey team extended its win streak to six games with a 3-2 victory over Keene State College.

Dealing the Owls (9-2) just their second loss of the season, the Jeffs improved to 6-2 on the year, while picking up their second win over their northern rivals in as many seasons.

Annika Nygren '16 Had two of the Amherst goals, while Madeline Tank '15 notched her first assist of the season. Haylie Dolan '16 and Marisa Lemoine '15 each had a tally for Keene.

Controlling possession in the early going, Amherst won a pair of penalty corners in the game's first five minutes. Corralling a rebound off a pair of quick Alex Philie '14 and Krista Zsitvay '14 shots, Nygren tapped it home on the left post to give the Jeffs the lead just 3:38 after the opening whistle.

Moving into the circle in the 12th minute, Keene State found its equalizer. Coming up the left side, Sami Smith '17 slotted a pass across the crease to a charging Dolan. Catching the Amherst backline out of position, the forward calmly tucked the ball into an open net at 11:52.

With under 10 minutes to go in the half, the Purple & White won their fourth penalty corner of the half. Receiving the ball at the top of the circle, Zsitvay put a hard shot on target, prompting a pad save from Keene sophomore goalie Chloe Audesse. Winning another corner at the tail-end of the first, Amherst pulled back in front as Nygren hammered home a rebound off a Tank shot near the right post.

Hoping to add to its tally at the start of the second stanza, Tank and Philie put consecutive tries on net as the Jeffs outshot the Owls 6-0 over the first 10 minutes. Switching fields, Leddy Gallagher '14 looked to have a breakaway, but Amherst netminder Rachel Tannenbaum '16 came off her line to make a diving save.

Coming forward in the 53rd minute, Amherst added an insurance tally. Racing up the right side, Tank sent a pass back across the middle. Gathering it in front of net, Katie Paolano '16 beat Audesse for her fifth goal in four games.

With less than five minutes remaining in regulation, the Owls cut the deficit in half. Getting behind the Amherst defense, Smith fed Lemoine, who sidestepped Tannenbaum before backhanding a shot into the cage at 4:13. With less than a minute remaining Keene State would win a penalty corner, but Tank poked the ball away from Katlyn Simula '14 near the top of the circle, clearing the ball to help seal the win.

The Jeffs finished with a decisive 23-4 shot advantage and a 12-2 edge in corners. Tannenbaum made a pair of saves to improve to 6-2, while Audesse had 13 stops.

Amherst returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Hamilton.