HENNIKER, N.H. – Three first half goals and efficient offense spark the 16th-ranked Amherst College men's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over New England College Wednesday evening in non-conference action at Don Melander Field in Henniker, N.H.

With the win, Amherst improves to 8-1-1 overall and returns to NESCAC action Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2:30 p.m. when it hosts Hamilton College. New England College moves to 5-6-0 on the season.

Amherst wasted little time finding the back of the net as Christopher Martin '17 scored just 2:44 into the contest. Martin found himself alone in front of the net and fired his fourth goal of the season into the right corner giving the Purple & White a 1-0 lead.

The visitors extended their lead to 2-0 in the 17th minute of play when Martin found Cameron Bean '17 who struck for his first goal of the season.

Four minutes later, Amherst tripled its advantage, and Martin found nylon for the second time in the contest as he tallied his fifth goal on a breakaway, unassisted at the 20:50 mark.

The Purple & White offense was efficient in the first 45 minutes, notching three goals on five shots on goal. Kieran Bellew '18 added two shots on target but was turned aside by New England College goalie Maxime Danis.

The Pilgrims held a slight, 7-6 advantage in shots in the first half, with just two falling on frame as Michael Skarbelis and Rizy Misiri were both stymied by Amherst keeper Lee Owen '18 to keep the score at 3-0.

In the second half, New England College held an 11-2 differential in shots, but only fired on frame five times in the stanza as Owen finished with eight saves, and help Amherst preserve the shutout.

Misiri notched two more shots on target, while Ronsard Masamba tested the Purple & White net-minder three times but could not get the Pilgrims on the board. Jimmy McMillian '20 launched the visitor's lone shot on goal in the second half in the 80th minute but turned aside by Samuel Thompson who finished with one save in 45 minutes of action.

GAME NOTES

• New England College held an 18-8 advantage in shots, and an 8-6 edge in shots on goal in the losing effort.
• The sides earned one corner kick apiece in each half, while the Purple & White held an 8-3 advantage in saves (8-3).
• Amherst has now won two games in a row since its 3-0 setback to Tufts University on Oct. 1, outscoring its opponents, 7-0. The Purple & White have also posted five shutouts in 10 games so far in 2016.