AMHERST, Mass. – A last-minute strike from first-year defender Ted Rosenfeld lifted Babson College to a 2-1 win over the Amherst College men's soccer team in a clash of nationally ranked in-state rivals on Tuesday afternoon at Hitchcock Field.
The reigning NEWMAC champion Beavers, ranked 18th in the nation in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division III poll, improved to 6-3-1 this season while the 3rd-ranked Mammoths fell to 6-1-1 with their first loss of the season, ending a 23-game unbeaten streak dating back to last season.
"Babson is a really good team and that shot at the end of the game was incredible," said Amherst head coach
Justin Serpone. "There was nothing lucky about it, he knew exactly what he was doing. We've had some great battles with them over the past few years so I'm sure this feels great. As disappointed as I am for us, I'm happy for them."
The defending NESCAC champion Mammoths are back in action on Saturday (Sept. 30), hosting 23rd-ranked Williams at 2:30 p.m. on Hitchcock Field.
"We don't have much time to feel sorry for ourselves because we have a game against Williams here on Saturday," said Serpone. "We need to regroup, and quickly."
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
* The Mammoths struck first with a goal from junior midfielder
Niall Murphy in the 33rd minute. With traffic in the box, senior defender
Shawn Rapal passed to classmate
Wyatt McCarthy, who sent a chip shot over to Murphy near the post, where Murphy redirected the ball in the air to the back of the net for his second goal of the season.
* Amherst held the lead through halftime until Babson leveled the score in the 74th minute. Senior midfielder Liam Rhatigan fired a one-timer for his third goal of the season.
* The Beavers snatched victory in the final moments when Rosenfeld blasted a shot on the run for his first collegiate goal with five seconds remaining in the game.
BY THE NUMBERS:
* The Mammoths held a 12-7 advantage in shots while shots on goal were even at 6-6. Junior Walker White made five saves to earn the win for Babson.
* The Mammoths held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.