AMHERST, Mass. – Emily Masten '17 scored the game-winning goal in the 102nd minute of action to lift the No. 20 Amherst College women's soccer team to a thrilling, 3-2 (2 OT) victory over NESCAC rival Trinity College in Tuesday afternoon's contest at Hitchcock Field.

Amherst improves to 12-2-1 overall, 7-1-1 in NESCAC play, and has clinched the second seed in the NESCAC tournament. Trinity moves to 10-3-2 on the season, 7-3-0 in league action and has secured the fourth seed in the upcoming conference tournament. 

After a scoreless first half that saw Amherst hold an 8-3 advantage in shots, four goals were scored in the second half in just a nine-minute span.

Trinity struck first just 36 seconds into the second half when Andi Nicholson found the back of the net to give the Bantams a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, the Purple & White answered when Emily Hester '17 sent a beautiful through ball to Hannah Guzzi '18 who collected the ball and beat a diving Julia Pitino to knot the game at 1-1 in the 51st minute of action.

The Bantams regained a one-goal lead when Tricia Pollock served the ball into the box which Taylor Kirchgessner volleyed into the top left corner to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. Quick to respond once more, Amherst leveled the contest at 2-2 when Megan Root '19 crossed the ball into the 18-yard box. The ball eventually fell to the foot of Hester who drilled a shot past the keeper at the 54:53 mark.

The Purple & White held a 12-6 differential in shots in the second stanza, but Chelsea Cutler '19 helped keep the game even for the duration of regulation as she made all four of her saves in the frame, including three crucial stops in the final seven minutes of the contest. 

In the first overtime, Amherst pressured the Bantams' defensive third of the field, winning three corners. Sloan Askins '20 fired a shot on target that was saved by Pitino, while Hester added an attempt that went wide right. Maeve McNamara '19 then lifted a shot that went just high as the sides were forced into a second period of extra time.

Possessing the ball deep in Trinity's defensive third early in the second overtime, Root sent the ball into the 18-yard box where Hester settled and layed it off for Masten who delivered her first goal of the season, and second career game-winner to seal the thrilling, 3-2 win for the Purple & White at the 101:16 mark. 

GAME NOTES
• Amherst held a 24-9 advantage in shots and a 10-2 differential in corner kicks to help cement the win for the Purple & White.
• Hester led all players in shots with seven, including two on frame, Guzzi added four shots, with two on frame. Rubii Tamen '19 also tested the goalkeeper with a pair of shots on goal.
• Cutler turned away four shots in goal for Amherst and improves her record to 10-2-1 overall, while Pitino finished with three saves in the losing effort for Trinity.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
• With its ninth consecutive win, Amherst is currently on its longest win streak since the 2011 season when the Purple & White went 20-1 before losing in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
• Guzzi leads the NESCAC in goals (12), and is tied for first in the league in points with 25.
• This is the 16th consecutive season the Amherst women's soccer team will compete in the NESCAC tournament.