BRUNSWICK, Maine – An overtime goal from Hannah Guzzi '18 helped lift the No.19 Amherst College women's soccer team to a thrilling, 2-1 win over NESCAC rival Bowdoin College Saturday afternoon in the league opener for both teams at Pickard Field in Brunswick, Maine.

With the win, Amherst improves to 2-0-0 on the season, 1-0-0 in conference play, while Bowdoin moves to 1-1-0 overall, 0-1-0 in NESCAC action. Amherst returns to action when they take on non-conference foe Springfield College Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.

Amherst took the lead just 7:38 into the contest when senior Emily Hester found the back of the net with an assist by Delancey King '18 for her second assist in as many games. Bowdoin answered just seven minutes later through Emma Beane who slotted in the equalizer to make it 1-1.

Neither side was able to register a go-ahead goal for the duration of the first half, and then played a scoreless second stanza, forcing an extra frame.

With just 1:19 remaining in the first overtime period, Guzzi scored the game-winner placing the ball in the bottom right corner as the Polar Bear keeper came out of the net leaving it wide open, allowing Amherst to seal the hard-fought victory.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Amherst goalkeeper Chelsea Cutler '19 (2-0-0) recorded five saves earning the win in net.
• Bowdoin outshot Amherst, 15-5 and held a 15-6 advantage in corner kicks.
• Bowdoin controlled the pace of play for most of regulation as Cutler was busy in the net just 48 seconds into the contest.
• Amherst earned three of their six corner kicks in a four-minute span just before Hester found the back of the net to put Amherst on the board first.
• Answering back seven minutes later, the Polar Bears had three corner kicks of their own before Beane tied the game.
• Keeping the pressure on Amherst, Bowdoin had two golden opportunities under the 10-minute mark of regulation, but Cutler stayed solid between the pipes.
• Bowdoin threated with three minutes remaining in the extra session when a corner kick by Beane found the head of teammate Abby Hammerl, but the ensuing shot was saved by Cutler.
• Less than a minute later, Guzzi had a quick-counter goal to end the game, scooting the ball past the keeper to lift Amherst to its second straight win.