MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The first brace of first-year Mohammed Nuhu's career helped the 18th-ranked Amherst College men's soccer team return to the win column in non-conference play. In a battle of nationally ranked teams, the Mammoths defeated #6 Montclair State University, 2-1, on Sunday, Oct. 15, at MSU Soccer Park. 

The NJAC-leading Red Hawks now stand at 12-2-1 overall. With the win, the Mammoths move to 9-2-2 overall, and will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 21, at home against NESCAC foe Hamilton, with the game slated to kick off at 1 p.m. on Hitchcock Field. 

"That felt more like an NCAA game than anything else," Amherst head coach Justin Serpone said. "Montclair State is really good and we knew we'd have to be at our best tonight. I have a feeling they will make a deep November run. Mo Nuhu has been great all year so it was terrific to see him score those two goals. His best days are ahead of him."

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

* The Mammoths opened the game on the front foot and found the game's first goal after 13 minutes of play. After a freekick was headed out of the 18-yard box, Niall Murphy collected the ball and sent a pass forward to Ada Okorogheye, who roped a curling ball behind the defense to Nuhu. Nuhu cut the ball back to his left, sending the goalkeeper sprawling to the ground before slotting the ball into the net at the near post.

* Just four minutes later, Nuhu found the net again. A long throw in was headed on to Nuhu by Ryan Gomez, and the first-year wasted no time volleying the ball home to bag his second goal of the game.

* The second half was much more even, with both teams finding opportunities on the offensive end. However, a bad challenge by a Mammoth defender in their own box gave Montclair State a penalty kick, which Amer Lukovic converted to bring the home side back within one.

"I don't know what to say about Amer Lukovic," Serpone said. "That kid is as good as anyone I've seen in college soccer since I was in college. 23 goals already, that's absurd. There isn't anything he isn't good at. It took a total team effort to keep him in check and I thought we did great and he still scored a goal."
 
* A chaotic final 10 minutes almost saw the Mammoths drop points. With just 1:16 remaining, when Montclair State was awarded a direct free-kick just outside the box. With the game on the line, Lukovic lined up a shot, which was blocked by the Mammoths' wall and cleared away before a foul call against Montclair State ended the threat.

BY THE NUMBERS

* Today's game was the first ever meeting between the Mammoths and the Red Hawks. With the win, the Mammoths take a 1-0 lead in the all-time series. 

* The Mammoths outshot the Red Hawks 13-10 during the contest, and effectively limited top Red Hawk threat Amer Lukovic, NCAA Division III's leading goal-scorer with 23 goals.

* Mammoth goalkeeper Max Landa made one save in the win.