WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Mammoths owned the advantage in both shots and corner kicks, but a three goal first half by the Ephs proved to be enough to hold off the visitors as the Amherst College women's soccer team fell to No. 4 Williams College, 3-2 Saturday afternoon at Cole Field.  

With the loss, Amherst falls to 3-3-0 on the season and to 1-2-0 in league play, while Williams improves to 6-0-0 (5-0-0 NESCAC). Amherst returns to action tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 24 when they host Connecticut College at Hitchcock Field beginning at 2 p.m.

The tilt between the archrivals was closely contested from the opening kickoff. First on the scoreboard, the Ephs claimed a 1-0 lead at the 3:53 mark, as Sarah Scire found Natasha Albaneze in the penalty area for the one-touch score.

Responding 11 minutes later, Rubii Tamen '19 evened the contest at 1-1 at the 14:36 mark. Seeing the Ephs netminder was off the goal line following a long ball sent into Williams' territory, Hayley Roy '20 made the most of the opportunity as she dished a pass to an open Tamen at the far edge of the box. Powering a shot over the goal line, Tamen recorded her second goal of the year.  

Breaking the tie in the 24th minute, Scire posted her second assist on the day as she connected with Victoria Laino near the penalty hash who volleyed a shot into the nylon to set the score at 2-1 in favor of the Ephs.

Williams logged its third goal of the opening half, and what proved to be the game-winner, with 4:22 remaining before intermission. Converting on a free kick opportunity, the drive from Mikayla Kappes deflected off a defender to the feet of Kristina Alvarado who beat the Amherst keeper with a shot from just outside the six-yard box.

The Mammoths controlled the pace of play in the second, with Hannah Guzzi '18 making it a one score game with 9:55 to play in regulation. A Delancey King '18 corner kick set up Claire Nam '21 with a scoring chance, but her header was turned away by Olivia Barnhill. Finding the rebound, Guzzi sent a shot into the corner of the net to bring Amherst within striking distance.  

Despite ramping up the offensive pressure and owning an 11-4 edge in shots in the second half, Amherst was unable to notch the equalizer as Williams held on to secure the 3-2 win.

GAME NOTES

• Chelsea Cutler '19 (3-3) made two stops in goal for Amherst in the losing effort, while Barnhill (5-0) recorded five saves for Williams.
• The Mammoths owned a 16-11 edge in shots in the contest and a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.  
• Tamen logged a contest-leading five shots, including three shots on frame, while Guzzi took four shots for Amherst.